LEXINGTON, Ky. – The UW-Eau Claire volleyball team is ranked 19th in this year’s CBS College Sports Network/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll, AVCA officials announced today.

Last season the Blugolds tied for second in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and competed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament under first-year head coach Kim Wudi. Eau Claire went 6-2 in conference play a year ago and was 22-11 overall. During the regular season, the Blugolds appeared in the top 25 poll on October 13 with a No. 25 ranking. The last time the Blugolds appeared in the preseason poll was in 2006 when they were ranked 6th.

Topping the AVCA’s preseason poll this year is Juniata College, which won the national title in 2006. Last year’s national champion, Washington University in St. Louis, is second in the poll. Other WIAC schools appearing in the poll are UW-Whitewater (ninth), UW-Oshkosh (15th) and UW-La Crosse (20th).

The Blugolds begin their season on August 30, when they travel to St. Louis, Mo. for a tournament hosted by Washington University.