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BLACKSBURG, Va. – The College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) released the first national poll of the 2010-2011 season. The defending national champion Texas took the top spot in the men’s poll with 510 points, while Stanford came in on top for the women, earning 734. After finishing last season ranked 23^rd, the Virginia Tech men’s swimming and diving team regained its spot in the top 25, again at No. 23. The women, who ended the season in 18^th plasce, missed a spot in the top 25 by just one vote, gaining 66 points from the collegiate coaches, behind No. 25 Missouri’s 67.

On the men’s side, California and Stanford tied for second with 445 points, and Florida and Arizona rounded out the top five with 418 and 375, respectively. North Carolina got the highest ranking of an ACC men’s team, coming in at No. 9, followed by No. 11 Virginia and No. 20 Florida State. Tech’s 2010-2011 regular season opponents include No. 10 Indiana, No. 15 Tennessee, No. 16 Alabama, No. 19 Louisville and No. 25 Princeton. Tech’s 2010-11 foes Kentucky, Penn State, NC State, Duke and Maryland all also received votes in the poll. Thus, including all ACC teams which they will Tech will meet in the conference championships, the H₂Okie men have eight top-25 teams and five additional highly-touted squads on their 2010-11 schedule.

For the women, Georgia came in second with 713 points, followed by Texas, with 703. The defending national champions Florida Gators earned 680 points for a fourth-place ranking, and California finished out the top five, with 660 points. Defending conference champion Virginia earned the highest ranking of an ACC team, placing ninth with 472 points, followed by No. 12 North Carolina with 334. Tech will also face No. 11 Tennessee, No. 15 Indiana and No. 20 Louisville during the regular season. The H₂Okies, who spent all of last season in the top 20, just missed the top 25 in this first poll, earning 66 points and falling just one point behind No. 25 Missouri. ACC members Florida State, Maryland and Duke and 2010-11 foes Alabama, Penn State, Kentucky and Princeton all also received votes. The Lady H₂Okies will face a tough the schedule this season, taking on five top-25 teams and seven additional squads that received national attention.

For the complete release from the CSCAA, click here.

For updates on Virginia Tech swimming & diving, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_SwimDive).