KU volleyball ranked No. 8 in preseason poll

Kansas sophomore Ainise Havili concentrates as she makes a set during the Jayhawks' volleyball match against in-state rival Kansas State Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 at the Horejsi Center. The Jayhawks bested the Wildcats, 3-1, and improved to 13-0 on the year.

With a powerful senior lineup that includes three All-Americans, the Kansas volleyball team will enter the season ranked No. 8 in the AVCA coaches poll, released Wednesday.

The Jayhawks, who have eight seniors, are led by Big 12 preseason player of the year Kelsie Payne, setter Ainise Havili and outside hitter Madison Rigdon.

Four teams on KU’s schedule were ranked in the preseason poll, including No. 1 Texas. The Jayhawks will host No. 14 Kentucky, No. 25 Purdue and No. 9 Creighton during the same week at Horejsi Family Athletics Center in early September.

KU will start the 2017 season on the road against North Carolina State on Aug. 25.