1.New Mexico State Aggies
Season record: 21-7 Conference record: 15-1 (tied for first place) Head coach: Mike Jordan (11th season)
Team notes: New Mexico State leads the Western Athletic Conference in opponent hitting percentage (.121) and ranks second in the WAC in every other offensive and defensive category. The Aggies are athletic and play a consistent all-around game. In regular season conference play, the Aggies were the only team to defeat the Rainbow Wahine.
Player to watch: Libero Krystal Torres, who leads the WAC with 437 total digs and a 4.60 digs per set average.
2. No. 6 Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine
Season record: 23-3 Conference record: 15-1 (tied for first place) Head coach: Dave Shoji (34th season)
Team notes: The 'Bows have been the top offensive team in the WAC all season. The Rainbow Wahine rank first in hitting percentage (.303), kills per set (14.88), assists per set (13.94) and aces per set (1.56).
Individually, the 'Bows have five players ranked in the top 10 in hitting percentage. Junior middle blocker Amber Kaufman leads the category (.383), while senior middle blocker Nickie Thomas is second (.370). Freshman outside hitters Stephanie Ferrell and Kanani Danielson are third (.330) and fifth (.304), respectively. Junior outside hitter Aneli Cubi-Otineru rounds out the group, sitting in ninth place in hitting percentage (.279).
Senior outside hitter Jamie Houston ranks second in kills per set (3.99) and points per set (4.46). Setter Dani Mafua leads in assists per set at 11.39. Kaufman (0.50) and Cubi-Otineru (0.36) are first and second in aces per set, respectively.
Player to watch: Jamie Houston, who is the reigning WAC Player of the Year and is second in the WAC in kills per set (3.99) and points per set (4.46).
3. Idaho Vandals
Season record: 18-9 Conference record: 11-5 Head coach: Debbie Buchanan (ninth season)
Team notes: Idaho ranks fourth in hitting percentage (.212) and second in opponent hitting percentage (.143). The Vandals are the WAC's top defensive team, leading in blocks per set (2.98) and digs per set (15.47).
Player to watch: Outside hitter Hayley Larson, who leads the WAC in kills per set (4.47).
4. Utah State Aggies
Season record: 11-16 Conference record: 9-7 Head coach: Grayson DuBose (third season)
Team notes: The Aggies rank fifth in hitting percentage and eighth in opponent hitting percentage. Setter Chelsea Fowles runs one of the quickest offenses in the conference, but the team's greatest weakness is their inconsistent passing game.
Player to watch: Outside hitter Melissa Osterloh, who ranks fourth in the WAC in kills per set (3.57) and points per set (4.18).
5. San Jose State Spartans
Season record: 12-16 Conference record: 7-9 Head coach: Oscar Crespo (second season)
Team notes: Height wise, the Spartans are one of the shorter teams in the WAC and rank second-to-last in the conference in blocks per game (1.63). However, they rank third in kills per set (12.77) and fourth in assists per set (11.79).
Player to watch: Outside hitter Kelly Crow, who ranks fifth in the WAC in kills per set (3.53)
6. Nevada Wolf Pack
Season record: 12-14 Conference record: 7-9 Head coach: Devin Scruggs (12th season)
Team notes: The Wolf Pack are one of the youngest teams in the conference and rank in the middle of the conference in every statistical category.
Player to watch: Middle blocker Lindsay Baldwin, who ranks 10th in the WAC in kills per set (2.77) and third in blocks per set (1.15).
7. Boise State Broncos
Season record: 9-18 Conference record: 5-11 Head coach: Robin Davis (third season)
Team notes: The Broncos are a young team that has struggled in conference play, but they are one of the more physical, taller teams and rank third in blocks per set (2.51).
Player to watch: Middle blocker Sadie Maughan, who is first on the team with 210 kills and is second in total blocks, with 100.
8. Fresno State Bulldogs
Season record: 6-19 Conference record: 3-13 Head coach: Lauren Netherby-Sewell (first season)
Team notes: The Bulldogs are another young team that has struggled in WAC play, but they are one of the better serving teams (third, 1.33 aces per set) and digging teams (third, 14.08 assists per set).
Player to watch: Freshman outside hitter Baylee Platt, who ranks sixth in the WAC in kills per set (3.36) and seventh in points per set (3.61).
9. Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters
Season record: 4-23 Conference record: 0-16 Head coach: Matt Sonnichsen (first season)
Team notes: The Lady Techsters, who are under the guidance of a new head coach this season, have not been able to win a match in conference play, but look to redeem themselves in the tournament.
Player to watch: Libero Debora Bolonhini, who ranks second in the WAC in digs per set (4.16).
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