AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State volleyball team will start the 2018 season as a ranked squad, as the Cyclones checked into the AVCA Division I Coaches Preseason Poll at No. 21 Wednesday.

This is ISU’s first appearance in the AVCA Preseason Poll since 2015, when the Cyclones also started the campaign at No. 21. Today’s ranking also marks the seventh time in program history Iowa State has appeared in the Preseason Top 25, all coming during the Christy Johnson-Lynch tenure.

The Cyclones got into the polls after the first week of the season last year, and stayed ranked for the rest of 2017 en route to a 22-7 overall record, an NCAA Volleyball Championship Second Round appearance and a final ranking of No. 25.

The Cyclones are one of three Big 12 teams in the AVCA Top 25, joined by No. 3 Texas and No. 16 Baylor. Iowa State non-conference opponents in the Top 25 include defending national champions Nebraska (No. 2), Creighton (No. 13) and Utah (No. 19). Kansas and Oregon State were among the other teams receiving votes.

The Cyclones open the 2018 regular season on Friday, Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. against Ole Miss as part of the Iowa State Challenge. ISU will host South Dakota in an exhibition match on Friday, Aug. 17 at 4 p.m., and will host the Cardinal and Gold Scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 11 a.m. inside Hilton Coliseum.