SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Augustana volleyball head coach Dan Meske has announced the schedule for the Vikings heading into the 2016 season.

Augustana is set to meet five teams that competed in last year's NCAA Tournament as well as two that competed in the final four. The slate also includes six teams that were ranked in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association Top-25 poll.Of those six teams ranked in the final poll, three were ranked in the top-5.

For the sixth straight year, Augustana will open the season on the road. The Vikings will travel to Romeoville, Ill. to compete in the Lewis University Tournament Sept. 2-3. Augustana will open their season, and the tournament, against Wisconsin Parkside before taking on Palm Beach Atlantic later in the day. Palm Beach Atlantic was last season's national runner-up after falling in straight sets to Wheeling Jesuit. The Vikings will then take on Michigan Teach and Central Washington to close out the tournament.

Augustana will play in Sioux Falls for the first time Sept. 9-10 when they play in the Pentagon Tournament. The Vikings will open the Pentagon Tournament against Chadron State and Southern Indiana. They will then take on Chadron State again the following day before rounding out the event against Winona State in a non-conference match.

The Vikings open Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play on Sept. 15 when they travel to Marshall, Minn. to take on Southwest Minnesota State. Augustana and SMSU opened NSIC play last year in the Elmen Center with the Vikings falling 3-1.

Augustana will be in the friendly confines of the Elmen Center for the first time when they host Sioux Falls Saturday Sept. 17 for the crosstown rival's only match-up of the year. The Vikings will again be at home on Sept. 20 when they host Wayne State. The Wildcats lost to Palm Beach Atlantic in last seasons final four.

The following weekend the Vikings will travel to Northern State and MSU Moorhead Sept. 23-24. They will be at home the following weekend to host U-Mary Sept. 30. They will begin the second month of their season on Oct. 1 when they host Minot State.

Augustana will travel to Rapid City, S.D. on Tuesday Oct. 4 for a midweek non-conference contest against both Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines.

The Vikings will be at home for two matches against Concordia-St. Paul and Minnesota State Oct. 7-8 before going on a three match road trip. While on the road the Vikings will play Upper Iowa and Winona State Oct. 14-15 and Wayne State on Oct. 18.

Augustana returns home Oct. 21 and 22 to take on St. Cloud State and Minnesota Duluth. The Vikings will then embark on their longest road trip of the season, playing four matches on the road. The Vikings will start their road trip against Bemidji State on Oct. 28 and Minnesota Crookston Oct. 29. They will wrap up the road portion of their schedule against U-Mary on Nov. 4 and Minot State Nov. 5.

The Vikings return home to close out the 2016 regular season Nov. 11-12 when the take on both Northern State and MSU Moorhead for the second time in the season.

The Vikings are coming off an 18-10 overall record and an 11-9 record in the NSIC. Augustana made the NSIC Tournament last season, falling to SMSU 3-2 in the road.