After finishing 2016 ranked fifth in the country, the Wisconsin volleyball team starts off 2017 right back in the top 10.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll was released on Wednesday, with the Badgers tabbed at No. 7.
Wisconsin, which achieved the program’s first-ever No. 1 ranking in 2016, is one of four Big Ten programs in the preseason top seven. Minnesota (No. 4), Nebraska (No. 5), and Penn State (No. 6) are all ahead of the Badgers. Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Purdue are also ranked, giving the Big Ten eight of the top 25 teams in the country.