BURNSVILLE, Minn. -- The Augustana Vikings volleyball program has been picked to finish eighth in the NSIC preseason coaches' poll, tallying 137 points the league office announced Monday.
Despite not having any real form of competition in the 2020 calendar year, the Vikings find themselves up three spots from the 2019 preseason coaches' poll where they were selected to finish 11th.
"We cannot wait to get back on the court," head coach Jennifer Jacobs said. "We haven't competed in front of a ref or major crowd since November 22, 2019, and it is time.
"The team worked so hard to keep it together during the pandemic, they've stayed positive, they've stayed committed, and we have a lot of talent returning who are hungry for competition!"
Augustana libero Erika Bute was named to the NSIC Preseason Player to Watch list for the 2021 season. Bute, hailing from Alden, Minnesota, made an immediate impact in the Vikings' rotation in 2019 finishing her freshman season with All-NSIC Second Team Honors. She was also a two-time NSIC Defensive Player of the Week while leading the team with 583 digs.
"Erika is a major key factor on our team, she not only is the vocal leader in the back row, she also works the hardest," Jacobs said. "Erika is a gym rat and has a competitive drive that is contagious to the rest of our team."
Six newcomers will step onto the court for the first time for the Vikings along with ten players from the 2019 roster.
Among the returners are senior Avery Thorson and junior Maddy Guetter. Thorson, a Sioux Falls native, led the Vikings in assists in the 2019 season averaging 10.11 assists per set. Guetter, coming to Augustana from Wabasso, Minnesota, led the Vikings in kills in the 2019 season with a 2.91 kill per set average.
The Vikings will take their talents to the Sunshine State for the Tampa Volleyball Classic on Sept. 6-7 to open the 2021 season.
Augustana's first home contest will take place on September 24 where the Vikings will face the Beavers of Bemidji State at 6 p.m. inside the Elmen Center.
Information about tickets for the 2021 volleyball season can be found here.
Full NSIC Poll
Overall Points
1. Concordia-St. Paul (11)................. 217
2. Minnesota Duluth.......................... 194
3. St. Cloud State (3)......................... 192
4. Northern State (1).......................... 174
5. Winona State (1)............................ 169
Wayne State ................................. 169
7. SMSU …………….......................... 147
8. Augustana ….. ................................137
9. Minnesota State ..............................109
Upper Iowa .......................................109
11. Sioux Falls ..................................... 82
12. MSU Moorhead ............................. 69
13. Bemidji State …….......................... 60
14. Minnesota Crookston ..................... 40
15. Minot State ..................................... 32
16. University of Mary............................ 20
first place votes in ( )
--GoAugie.com--
