PROVIDENCE, R.I. – UCF, which went undefeated in conference play last season, earned the most points and six first-place votes to take the top spot in the 2018 American Athletic Conference preseason coaches’ poll. The Knights totaled 76 points to edge USF (73 points, three first-place votes) for the No. 1 ranking. Memphis garnered the final first-place vote and slots third with 68 points.
The top three teams in the American rankings each accounted for a top preseason individual award. UCF’s Vera Varis earned her second-straight Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year award and was followed in suit by USF’s Evelyne Viens who is now a two-time Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.