LOS ANGELES-- The Loyola Marymount University beach volleyball team has been ranked No. 8 in the nation, according to AVCA Collegiate Beach Volleyball Preseason Poll. 

"We don't give too much thought to preseason rankings," said head coach John Mayer. "We have our standards and we strive to learn and grow everyday so that we can achieve them. This team is on a good path and we are excited to compete against many of the teams on this preseason ranking list. Our ultimate outcome goal is to finish in the top eight or higher, so that we can compete for a national championship in Gulf Shores. I believe this team can do that!"
 
The Lions will sustain their No. 8 ranking from their shortened 2020 season, where they went 6-3 overall. They prepare to begin their 2021 season facing No. 18 Georgia State.
 
The Lions prepare to face several nationally ranked opponents including top ten teams such as, No. 6 Cal Poly, No. 9 Cal, No. 10 Pepperdine, No. 4 USC and No. 2 UCLA. 
 
The Lions will kick off their season on the road facing the No. 18 team, Georgia State in Tallahassee, Fla. The Lions will play No. 10 Pepperdine for their first West Coast Conference match on March 30th. Mid-season, the team will head to Santa Cruz for the Santa Cruz Boardwalk/WCC Invite which got canceled last season. 
 
The Lions will close out their season at the WCC Championships on April 23 in Santa Monica, Calif. The NCAA Championships will be held in Gulf Shores, Ala. on May 7.