LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team opens the 2011 season ranked in a tie for No. 6 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Top 25 Preseason Poll with Nebraska-Kearney.

SMSU earned 615 total points while fellow NSIC member Concordia University, St. Paul received 800 points and all 32 first-place votes earning the No. 1 spot on the poll after winning its fourth consecutive National Championship in 2010.

The Mustangs were one of five NSIC teams to earn a spot in the top 25. Wayne State came in at No. 9 while Minnesota Duluth (12) and Minnesota State (16) each earned a spot in the top 25.

Southwest Minnesota State has now been ranked in the AVCA Top 25 for 68 consecutive weeks dating back to Sept. 5, 2006. In 2010, SMSU earned its highest national ranking in school history when they were ranked No. 2 in the AVCA poll the week of Oct. 11. The Mustangs were 8-4 versus ranked opponents last season.

SMSU finished the 2010 season 27-4 overall, including an 18-2 second-place finish in NSIC play.

The Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team will host its annual 'Late Show' intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday, Aug. 18, at the PE Gym. The festivities are set to begin at 7:30 p.m. beginning with the introduction of the 2011 SMSU volleyball team. The scrimmage will be the public’s first chance to get a look at this year’s squad.

SMSU begins the regular season on Sept. 2 taking on Northern Michigan at 9 a.m. in a tournament hosted by Concordia-St. Paul.