LEXINGTON, KY. –  – After finishing the 2016 season ranked 8th, Augustana University Volleyball remains in the American Volleyball Coaches' Association Top 25 Poll  in 2017, entering the season ranked 10th in the preseason poll.

The Vikings are coming off a season in which they won 27 games in 2016 and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2008.

"It's an honor to be ranked in the AVCA top ten and we are so excited to get going this preseason," first-year head coach Jennifer Jacobs said. "The team had a lot of success last year and we are going to continue to work hard and build off of that momentum."

Augustana returns 10 letter winners and five starters including first team All-NSIC members Tahlyr Banks, Bailey Koch and Courtney Place. Banks was also named the 2016 NSIC Libero of the Year and is a NSIC "Player to Watch" in 2017.

The Vikings were picked to finish fourth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll after receiving 172 points and one first-place vote.

Augustana opens their 2017 campaign at the Oredigger Classic in Golden, Colo. Friday, Sept.1 at 2 p.m. and take on CSU San Bernardino.

The Vikings open up their home schedule Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. versus Texas A&M – Kingsville.