University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Harrison Barden
Gophers Ranked 14th in AVCA Preseason Poll
8/10/2026 2:17:00 PM | Volleyball
Minnesota ended last season at 15
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers volleyball team came in at No. 14 in the AVCA Preseason Poll, it was announced Monday. The Gophers have now been ranked in the preseason poll in 11 straight seasons and 25 of the last 27.
The last time Minnesota was unranked in a preseason poll was before the 2015 season, in which they went on to make the Final Four. In 2023, the first year under head coach Keegan Cook, Minnesota went 17-13 (12-8 Big Ten) and won an NCAA Tournament match for the ninth consecutive season before falling in the Round of 32 to Creighton. The Gophers finished the season unranked for the first time since 2014.
Last year, the Gophers went 24-10 (12-8 Big Ten) before falling to Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Minnesota finished the year with a No. 15 overall ranking, posting three top-25 wins.
This season, Minnesota will play 10 matches against top-25 ranked teams. In the non-conference, they'll take on No. 12 Arizona State and No. 13 Creighton to start the season. They'll also play No. 17 Florida in the Big Ten/SEC Challenge. In Big Ten play, they'll take on No. 1 Nebraska, No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 9 Purdue, No. 10 Penn State, No. 16 Indiana, No. 20 USC and No. 25 Oregon.
Eight Big Ten teams are ranked in the poll, including four of the top 10. The Gophers were picked to finish fifth in the Big Ten Preseason poll, behind Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. UW made the Final Four last year while Nebraska and Purdue made the Elite Eight. Penn State was eliminated in the second round.
Minnesota competes against No. 2 Texas and Iowa State in exhibitions before playing Arizona State in the season-opener on Aug. 28 at the Sanford Pentagon.
Gophers History in the AVCA Preseason Poll (Since 2000):
2026: 14th
2025: 11th
2024: 18th
2023: 7th
2022: 5th
Fall 2021: 7th
Spring 2021: 7th
2019: 3rd
2018: 4th
2017: 4th
2016: 3rd
2015: UR
2014: 12th
2013: 6th
2012: 16th
2011: 12th
2010: 6th
2009: 11th
2008: 16th
2007: 9th
2006: 22nd
2005: 6th
2004: 5th
2003: 6th
2002: UR
2001: 15th
2000: 11th
The last time Minnesota was unranked in a preseason poll was before the 2015 season, in which they went on to make the Final Four. In 2023, the first year under head coach Keegan Cook, Minnesota went 17-13 (12-8 Big Ten) and won an NCAA Tournament match for the ninth consecutive season before falling in the Round of 32 to Creighton. The Gophers finished the season unranked for the first time since 2014.
Last year, the Gophers went 24-10 (12-8 Big Ten) before falling to Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Minnesota finished the year with a No. 15 overall ranking, posting three top-25 wins.
This season, Minnesota will play 10 matches against top-25 ranked teams. In the non-conference, they'll take on No. 12 Arizona State and No. 13 Creighton to start the season. They'll also play No. 17 Florida in the Big Ten/SEC Challenge. In Big Ten play, they'll take on No. 1 Nebraska, No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 9 Purdue, No. 10 Penn State, No. 16 Indiana, No. 20 USC and No. 25 Oregon.
Eight Big Ten teams are ranked in the poll, including four of the top 10. The Gophers were picked to finish fifth in the Big Ten Preseason poll, behind Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin. UW made the Final Four last year while Nebraska and Purdue made the Elite Eight. Penn State was eliminated in the second round.
Minnesota competes against No. 2 Texas and Iowa State in exhibitions before playing Arizona State in the season-opener on Aug. 28 at the Sanford Pentagon.
Gophers History in the AVCA Preseason Poll (Since 2000):
2026: 14th
2025: 11th
2024: 18th
2023: 7th
2022: 5th
Fall 2021: 7th
Spring 2021: 7th
2019: 3rd
2018: 4th
2017: 4th
2016: 3rd
2015: UR
2014: 12th
2013: 6th
2012: 16th
2011: 12th
2010: 6th
2009: 11th
2008: 16th
2007: 9th
2006: 22nd
2005: 6th
2004: 5th
2003: 6th
2002: UR
2001: 15th
2000: 11th
Wednesday, August 05
Tuesday, August 04
Tuesday, August 04
Tuesday, August 04