The Valparaiso University volleyball team has been picked to finish in second place in the Horizon League during the 2016 season, according to preseason polling of the league’s head coaches. The Crusaders received four first-place votes, matching Cleveland State for the most first-place votes received.

Cleveland State edged out the Crusaders for the top spot in the poll, tallying 60 points to Valpo’s 57. Oakland picked up the final first-place vote and totaled 52 points, while there was an 11-point gap between the Grizzlies and Northern Kentucky, chosen in fourth position with 41 points.

Valpo returns 12 letterwinners from last year’s 27-win squad, which advanced to the title match of the Horizon League Championship and tied for the second-most wins in program history. The season opens for the Crusaders at the Black Knights Invitational against CSU Bakersfield and Hofstra on Friday, Aug. 26, while Valpo will also take on host Army West Point on the opening weekend of action.