Four-time defending Big Ten volleyball champion Wisconsin is expected to repeat as conference champion, according to the Big Ten preseason poll, announced on Friday.

The Badgers received 13 first-place votes as the preseason poll and all-conference teams were voted on by the conference’s 14 head coaches.

Last year Wisconsin won the title while it also produced a 21-match win streak in the process. Nebraska, Minnesota, Penn State and Purdue round out the top five.

Three members of the preseason all-conference team were unanimous selections: Nebraska libero/defensive specialist Lexi Rodriguez, Penn State setter Mac Podraza and Purdue outside hitter Eva Hudson. Podraza was named Big Ten Setter of the Year at Ohio State last year and Hudson earned the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. The preseason team also features Minnesota outside hitter Taylor Landfair, the 2022 Big Ten Player of the Year, and Minnesota libero Kylie Murr, who earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors at Ohio State in 2022.

The NCAA volleyball season begins in mid-August with Big Ten conference action starting Sept. 20.

BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
1. Wisconsin
2. Nebraska
3. Minnesota
4. Penn State
5. Purdue
6. Ohio State
7. Illinois
8. Indiana
9. Maryland
(tie) 10. Michigan, Northwestern
12. Michigan State
13. Iowa
14. Rutgers

PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN TEAM
Raina Terry Illinois Sr. Outside Hitter Marengo, Ohio
Camryn Haworth Indiana Jr. Setter Fishers, Ind.
Taylor Landfair Minnesota Jr. Outside Hitter Plainfield, Ill.
Kylie Murr Minnesota Sr. Libero Yorktown, Ind.
Melanie Schaffmaster Minnesota Sr. Setter New Castle, Ind.
Lexi Rodriguez * Nebraska Jr. Libero/Defensive Specialist Sterling, Ill.
Emily Londot Ohio State Sr. Opposite Utica, Ohio
Rylee Rader Ohio State Sr. Middle Blocker Louisville, Ky.
Jess Mruzik Penn State Sr. Outside Hitter Livonia, Mich.
Mac Podraza * Penn State Gr. Setter Sunbury, Ohio
Eva Hudson * Purdue So. Outside Hitter Fort Wayne, Ind.
Carter Booth Wisconsin So. Middle Blocker Denver, Colo.
Sarah Franklin Wisconsin Jr. Outside Hitter Lake Worth, Fla.
Devyn Robinson Wisconsin Sr. Opposite Ankeny, Iowa
Temi Thomas-Ailara Wisconsin Gr. Outside Hitter Glennwood, Ill.

* unanimous selections