LEXINGTON, KY -- The Augustana University Volleyball team is ranked 23rd in the 2018 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Preseason Coaches Poll, the AVCA announced Thursday.

Dating back to the 2016 season, the Vikings have been ranked in 27 straight AVCA coaches polls.

"We are honored to be ranked in the top-25," head coach Jennifer Jacobs said. "It speaks highly of our returners especially after graduating many starters from last year's team. I'm proud of this team." 

Winners of 23 matches last season which included a trip to the NSIC semifinals, Augustana has been picked to finish sixth in the NSIC by the conference coaches.

The Vikings are led by senior outside hitter Courtney Place who had 449 kills a season ago, which ranked third in the NSIC. Payton Rosendahl returns to the court for her sophomore season. The right side hitter played in 29 matches and recorded 155 kills on the year.

Augustana opens up the 2018 season at the Eckerd Classic in St. Petersburg, Florida on August 24.