MISSOULA -- The University of Montana women's soccer team was picked for a fourth-place finish by the Big Sky Conference coaches in the league's preseason poll that was released Wednesday.

The Grizzlies tied for fourth in 2008 with a 3-3-1 Big Sky record and advanced to the program's 10th Big Sky tournament.

Weber State, which won the 2008 Big Sky regular-season title with a 5-2-0 league record, was picked to repeat, picking up six of eight first-place votes.

Northern Arizona, which tied for second in 2008 with Portland State with a 4-1-2 record, was picked second. The Lumberjacks, who defeated Weber State in last November's Big Sky tournament title match to advance to the NCAA tournament, picked up the other two first-place votes.

Sacramento State, which tied Montana for fourth in 2008 with a 3-3-1 record, was picked third. Montana was picked fourth, just a point ahead of fifth-place Portland State. The Vikings matched NAU's 4-1-2 league mark in 2008.

The top four teams in the final regular-season standings will advance to the Big Sky tournament, which will be held Nov. 5 and 7 at the site of the regular-season champion.

Montana Sports Information

Luse joins RMC soccer coaching staff

BILLINGS (AP) -- Kevin Luse has been named an assistant coach for the Rocky Mountain College women's soccer team.

Luse guided the Billings West boys to their first state Class AA soccer championship last season and was an assistant with the Rocky women's team in 2002 and 2003. He has also coached the Billings Senior girls' soccer team.

Richard Duffy, who is entering his eighth year as Rocky's women's soccer coach, will be overseeing both teams.

Montana Western adds middle blocker

DILLON (AP) -- Montana Western volleyball coach Katie Howells has announced the signing of a 6-foot-1 middle blocker/outside hitter from Tropic, Utah.

Shyenne Cornforth earned all-state honors as a senior at Bryce Valley High School.

Howells says Cornforth will give Western extra height and help in the front row.