The Gophers are ranked No. 4 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association's preseason poll. Minnesota was 28-6 last season and reached the NCAA Sweet 16.
Five starters return, including opposite hitter Stephanie Samedy, setter Samantha Seliger-Swenson, and outside hitter Alexis Hart, who made the first, second and third All-America teams, respectively, last season.
Stanford is No. 1 in the AVCA rankings, followed by Nebraska and Texas.
