The Nebraska Wesleyan University volleyball received 19 total points to sit just outside the Top 25 of the AVCA Division III Coaches’ preseason Top 25 that was released on Thursday (Aug. 19). NWU was the fifth team in the others receiving votes category.

Nebraska Wesleyan finished the 2009 season ranked No. 23 in the final AVCA/DIII Poll after finishing 18-12 for the year and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III National Tournament. It marked the first time since 2003 that NWU ended the year ranked in the poll.

NWU will face two teams that are ranked in the AVCA/DIII poll during their nonconference portion of the season. The Prairie Wolves will play No. 24 St. Mary’s University on Sept. 10 at the Wartburg Tournament as well as No. 8 University of St. Thomas to open the Luther Tournament on Sept. 17.

During the GPAC portion of the Prairie Wolves schedule, NWU will face three conference teams that are ranked in the preseason NAIA Top 25. Northwestern College is No. 5, Morningside College is ranked No. 18, while Doane College comes in at No. 20.

Head Coach Gina Chambers, who needs just one more victory for 100 in her career, returns four starters from last season’s squad that qualified for their sixth straight NCAA Tournament.

Nebraska Wesleyan began fall practice on Thursday (Aug. 18) with two-a-day training sessions. The Prairie Wolves open the 2010 season on Sept. 4-5 when they travel to Forest Grove, Oregon for the Pacific University Tournament.

View Complete AVCA/DIII Top 25 Poll