BURNSVILLE, Minn -- Augustana volleyball was picked to finish fourth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll after receiving 179 points. Concordia-St. Paul was tabbed as the preseason favorite.

The Vikings return 11 players from their 2021 roster, along with five newcomers. In addition, head coach Jennifer Jacobs returns for her sixth season.

"We return almost every starter from last year, and where we graduated some key positions, we know we have underclassmen more than ready to step up," Jacobs said. "The team ended last year feeling unfinished, so we think we will be playing with a slight chip on our shoulder to prove we are contenders at the highest level. We are looking forward to seeing what we can do."

The NSIC named senior setter Avery Thorson as the Vikings 2022 "Player to Watch."

Thorson, a Sioux Falls native, will be entering her fifth season with the Vikings. In her 2021 season, Thorson received All-NSIC Second Team Honors after ranking 34th in the nation with 10.44 assists per set and was ranked second in the NSIC in triple doubles. She recorded a season best of 57 assists against St. Cloud St. and Winona St. while leading the team in assists at 1191.

"When Avery decided to stay an extra season using the COVID waiver, we were overjoyed. She has been a leader on and off the court, and an integral part of this team's growth and success since her freshman year," said Jacobs. "She knows the game inside and out, and she runs our offense smoothly with the ability to manipulate defenses into our game plans. We are excited she's back for another season."

The Vikings opened fall camp on Monday in preparation for the 2022 season.

Augustana opens the 2022 season at the Texas Permian Basin Tournament in Odessa, Texas. Friday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. to take on Southeastern Oklahoma State. Augustana hosts its own volleyball classic Sept. 2-3 at the Sanford Pentagon. For information on the classic, click here.

2022 NSIC Volleyball Preseason Coaches Poll

--GoAugie.com--