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The Aggies' volleyball team, which is holding its annual Blue-White scrimmage tonight at 7 p.m. at the Wayne Estes Center, was picked to finish third in the Mountain West preseason poll while hitter Elle Brainard was named to the preseason All-MW team. The Aggies received 81 points to finish behind five-time defending champion Colorado State (97) and New Mexico (91). Rounding out the poll were San Diego State (73), Wyoming (55), Boise State (54), UNLV (50), Fresno State (40), air Force (31), San Jose State (21) and Nevada (11). The Aggies return five starters from a team that went 20-11 overall and 13-7 in the Mountain West a year ago. The Aggies went 21-9 in 2012, making it the first time since 2000 and 2001 that the Aggies posted back-to-back 20-win seasons. "Preseason polls are a wonderful way to draw attention to our conference before we head into action," coach Grayson DuBose said. "The team has been working hard to live up to that ranking and I can promise we will compete hard each night." Tonight's scrimmage is the first chance many volleyball fans might have to check out the team's new facility, which boasts a competition venue with a seating capacity of 1,400, basketball practice facility, locker rooms and office spaces.