University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Volleyball Ranked 12th in Preseason Poll
8/11/2014 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The University of Minnesota volleyball program is ranked 12th in the preseason poll, announced today, by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Defending national champions, Penn State, took the top spot and 32 first-place votes, while Texas (11 votes) and Stanford (70 round out the top three.
Like every year, Minnesota is in the stacked Big Ten Conference as seven teams are ranked in the top 25. Penn State, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Purdue and Illinois are all ranked in the top 11, followed by Minnesota, and Michigan State. Michigan is receiving votes in the opening poll, as is Iowa State, who the Gophers play in non-conference action during the Diet Coke Classic (9/13).
The Gophers finished the 2013 season with a 29-7 overall record and a 15-5 mark within Big Ten play. The Gophers were a Sweet 16 team, defeating Radford and Colorado in the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament, falling to Stanford.
Minnesota opens the season at home as it hosts the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, Aug. 29-30, as Notre Dame, Louisville and Wisconsin comes to town.
