Heading into the 2022 volleyball campaign, the Hogs have earned their highest SEC preseason ranking in eight years, the conference announced today.  

Arkansas came in fourth in the coaches' poll with 105 points, its best placement since the poll shifted from East and West Divisions to a ranking of all SEC teams in 2014. It is the fourth time in head coach Jason Watson's seven seasons that the Razorbacks have been picked to finish in the top five of the conference.  

Last season's SEC champion and 2020-21 national champion, Kentucky, has been voted to claim its sixth straight conference crown and topped the poll with 142 votes. Florida came in second and Tennessee in third for the teams above the Hogs, and Mississippi State is closely behind Arkansas with 103 points for fifth place.  

The Razorbacks will play two-match series with each of their top five poll teams, starting with Mississippi State in Starkville Oct. 1-2, back-to-back weekends at Barnhill Arena with Kentucky and Tennessee Oct. 7-8 and 14-15 and against Florida in Gainesville Oct. 29-30. 

Jillian Gillen also represents the Razorbacks on the All-SEC Preseason Team. The senior outside hitter has earned All-SEC honors in each of her three seasons at Arkansas, but it's the first time receiving recognition in the preseason poll. Last season she came in second in the SEC in kills per set with 4.12, was first in total kills with 470 on the season and became the 17th member of the Arkansas 1,000-kill club. She is currently fifth in Arkansas history in kills per set with 3.92. 

The Hogs officially kick off the 2022 season with the Arkansas Classic on Aug. 26-27 against Washington at Barnhill Arena. 

2022 SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll 

1. Kentucky  

2. Florida 

3. Tennessee 

4. Arkansas 

5. Mississippi State 

6. South Carolina  

7. Ole Miss  

8. LSU  

9. Georgia  

10. Texas A&M  

11. Missouri  

12. Auburn  

13. Alabama  

Preseason All-SEC Team 

Jillian Gillen, Arkansas 

Merritt Beason, Florida 

Bre Kelley, Florida  

Eleanor Beavin, Kentucky  

Emma Grome, Kentucky 

Reagan Rutherford, Kentucky  

Azhani Tealer, Kentucky  

Anita Anwusi, LSU  

Sasha Ratliff, Ole Miss  

Gabby Waden, Mississippi State 

Anna Dixon, Missouri  

Jenna Hampton, South Carolina 

Morgahn Fingall, Tennessee 

Natalie Hayward, Tennessee 

Danielle Mahaffey, Tennessee 

Razorback Volleyball Season Tickets are on sale now starting at $45! Be a part of the action inside legendary Barnhill Arena and show your support for these student-athletes by calling (800) 982-4647 or click HERE for more details!