Led by 2020 GLVC Player of the Year Charlotte Richards (8), UMSL went 16-3 last season and finished the year ranked No. 12 in the nation. (Photo courtesy: UMSL Athletics)

by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced its Top 25 NCAA Division II preseason poll on Tuesday, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis was ranked 21st in the nation.

The Tritons, coming off a stellar spring season in which they went 16-3, were among the teams ranked in the AVCA national poll for most of the season, and finished the year ranked 12th in the final poll.

This fall, UMSL returns all seven starters (including the libero) from a team that featured four Great Lakes Valley Conference all-conference players, including senior outside hitter and 2020 GLVC Player of the Year, Charlotte Richards.

UMSL found itself ranked as high as No. 6 in the country last season and will hope to have that same type of success this season, beginning with their season opener against No. 13 Hillsdale on September 3.

That contest will be a part of the Ferris State Tournament in Big Rapids, Mich., where the Tritons will play four matches in two days to begin the season.

UMSL’s home opener at the Mark Twain Building will be on September 24 against Rockhurst.