LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Northwestern volleyball team received its highest-ever ranking by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Tuesday, as the Eagles were picked fourth in the Division III Preseason Coaches' Poll, behind only defending national champion Calvin College, Emory and Washington-St. Louis.

View the complete AVCA poll here.

UNW capped off its historic 2016 season with an appearance in the national semifinals, where the Eagles fell to eventual national champion Calvin. Northwestern ended its season 34-5 with the 34 victories being a new program record. In addition to the team's success, the Eagles brought home a pair of individual honors, as Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) was named the AVCA Division III Player of the Year and Beth Wilmeth the AVCA Division III Coach of the Year.

UNW, which returns three All-UMAC performers – including Player of the Year Lindsey Peterson (Sheffield, Iowa/West Fork) – will look to build on its record-breaking season when it opens the 2017 campaign with the Kathryne Pals Legacy Invitational. The two-day event will occur inside the Ericksen Center over Labor Day weekend. The full 2017 schedule can be viewed here. Updates throughout the season can be found by following @unwvb on Twitter.