MOBILE, Ala-- The University of Mobile volleyball team is ranked 24th in the Tachikara-NAIA Volleyball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll as announced by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tuesday.

The Lady Rams went 26-13 last season and will open the 2010 season at home Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 pm against SSAC rival Spring Hill College. Mobile finished 2009 receiving votes and made the program's third straight trip to the NAIA National Championships.

Topping the Preseason Poll is Fresno Pacific, while Concordia University, California Baptist, Lee University and Northwestern College round out the top five.

Mobile will have plenty of chances to prove itself this year, with dates against No. 4 Lee University, No. 8 UT-Brownsville, No. 17 Bellevue University and No. 23 Georgetown College on the schedule.

The Lady Rams will also face Embry-Riddle and SCAD, both of whom are receiving votes in the poll.

Alyson Kovacs, Kelly Sherling, Charlotte Stutts, Shea McBee and Melody Tenney are the only returning players for Mobile, but 12 new players have been added to the varsity roster as the team looks for its fourth straight trip to the NAIA National Tournament.