Soccer (ranked 10th nationally) and volleyball set to open 2013 seasons

You probably know Baylor football begins its push for the Big 12 championship in just 10 days. But Baylor’s other two fall varsity sports — soccer and volleyball — get things started even sooner, and with equally lofty goals.

Coming off a Big 12 title and a Sweet 16 finish, Baylor soccer — led by co-head coaches Marci and Paul Jobson — enter 2013 with their eyes on another deep NCAA run. The Bears are ranked in the top 14 in three preseason polls — as high as 10th in one ranking — and matched their best-ever preseason Big 12 ranking, picked third in the league. Sophomore forward Bri Campos and senior defender Kat Ludlow were each named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, the progam’s first such honorees since 2003.

With two 20-win seasons in the last four years (after just one in the 15 previous years), head coach Jim Barnes has Baylor volleyball on the upswing, as well. The Bears return 12 letterwinners (but only two starters) from last year’s squad, including one Preseason All-Big 12 selection in senior outside hitter Zoe Adom. Those returnees are joined by a second-straight top-25 signing class that features middle blocker Omotola Itiola, a top-30 prospect and the program’s highest-ranked signee since 2000.

Soccer kicks off the 2013 season Friday at home against UTSA, while volleyball opens August 30 at Colorado State.

Sic ’em, Baylor soccer and volleyball!