Penn State women’s volleyball will begin its fall 2021 season ranked No. 12 in the country, according to the latest AVCA Division I Coaches Poll.

The Nittany Lions also ended their spring season ranked No. 12.

Russ Rose’s squad is joined by a number of Big Ten representatives in the poll, including Wisconsin (No. 1), Nebraska (No. 5), Minnesota (No. 7), Purdue (No. 8), and Ohio State (No. 11). Kentucky, Division I’s most recent champion, landed at No. 3.

Penn State’s season begins with a road trip to Florida for the UCF Tournament. The Nittany Lions face Georgia Tech and Saint John’s on Friday, August 27, to kick off their season. Nine of the Nittany Lions’ upcoming matches will air on national TV.

Penn State’s been pretty busy so far this offseason. The team picked up two huge transfers — Maryland’s Erika Pritchard and Minnesota’s Adanna Rollins — to bolster a strong lineup of outside hitters. Penn State also gained up a commitment from former TCU middle blocker and right-side/opposite hitter Katie Clark.

The Nittany Lions’ presence at the net will be undoubtedly weakened now that middle blocker Serena Gray has left the team and transferred to Pitt, though. Allie Holland, who showed strong flashes last season, will likely earn an increased role this fall.

Penn State went 9-5 in last spring’s regular season and fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to No. 4 seed Texas, which wound up losing to Kentucky in the national title match.