Arkansas Tech University is beginning the 2018 season where it ended the 2017 campaign — ranked among the top NCAA Division II volleyball programs in America.
The Golden Suns are No. 14 in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 poll. Arkansas Tech climbed as high as No. 8 in the national rankings last season and was listed 14th in the final poll of 2017.
ATU completed the 2017 volleyball season with an overall record of 35-1 and a GAC mark of 16-0. The Golden Suns opened the season on a school-record 35-match winning streak, including a five-set victory over Harding in the GAC Tournament championship match to clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Thirteen players, including all six starters, return for Arkansas Tech in 2018. The Golden Suns will open the season in Warrensburg, Mo., at the Peggy Martin Challenge. Tech will face tournament host University of Central Missouri at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 24.
