LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team opens the 2025 season ranked No. 15 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Preseason Poll released on Wednesday.
 
SMSU is one of five NSIC schools ranked in the Top 25 with St. Cloud State at No. 3, along with Concordia-St. Paul at No. 13, Wayne State at No. 21, at Northern State at No. 25.
 
SMSU returns 12 letter winners from its 2024 team that finished 23-6 overall, 14-4 NSIC, and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season. The Mustangs finished ranked No. 16 in the final 2024 AVCA Top 25 poll.
 
SMSU opens the regular season on Sept. 4-6 with four matches at the West Florida Classic in Pensacola, Fla. SMSU takes on Spring Hill (Ala.) on Sept. 4, followed by matches versus West Florida and Northern Michigan on Sept. 5, before closing with Wheeling (W. Va.) on Sept. 6.
 
SMSU begins its 18-match NSIC season on the road on Sept. 19 at Bemidji State. The Mustangs will have their home opener on Sept. 26 versus MSU Moorhead.