University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Enter 2016 Ranked No. 3
8/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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AVCA Preseason Poll
The University of Minnesota opens the season as the third-ranked team in the nation, announced today by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
It marks the 104th time Minnesota has been ranked in the AVCA top 10 in program history. The last time the Gophers were ranked in the top five to start the season dates back to 2004, also following a season in which they made it to the NCAA Championships. Minnesota opened the 2004 campaign as the No. 1 ranked team.
During the 2016 campaign, Minnesota will face 11 preseason ranked teams. In the Big Ten alone, Nebraska (1), Wisconsin (4), Penn State (9), Illinois (14), Ohio State (15) and Purdue (20) all enter the season ranked. Minnesota also faces ranked teams Stanford (11), Texas A&M (16), Florida State (17), North Carolina (19) and Louisville (23) during the non-conference season. Other Gopher opponents receiving votes is San Diego, Michigan State and Michigan.
The defending Big Ten champions open the 2016 season in Palo Alto, Calif., where they face San Diego and host Stanford, Aug. 27-28. The Gophers travel to Puerto Rico, Sept, 2-3, to play Texas A&M and Florida State. Minnesota competes against Louisville and North Carolina, Sept. 9-10, before heading home to host the Diet Coke Classic, Sept. 16-17.
During the 2016 season, the Golden Gophers will play 14 teams that advanced to the NCAA tournament last year, including six in non-conference action and eight in Big Ten play. The American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll is expected to be released on Aug. 10.
