With opening night nine days away for the IU volleyball team, the Big Ten Conference has released its preseason rankings.
After finishing the season with a 17-16 record last year, the Hoosiers are predicted to finish second-to-last in the Big Ten this upcoming season. While IU graduated five seniors during the offseason, IU also gained five new freshmen for the 2017 season.
With only one senior on the roster, inexperience could be the reason why IU was picked to finish 13th in the conference by Big Ten volleyball coaches.
Penn State was selected as the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten after finishing with a 24-10 record last season. The American Volleyball Coaches Association has the Nittany Lions ranked No. 6 in the NCAA before the 2017 season starts.
IU begins its season at home in the University Gym on Aug. 25 against Ball State at 7 p.m.
Dylan Wallace
