We're counting down to the start of the 2017 NCAA beach volleyball season by previewing one of the nation's top programs every day leading up to opening weekend.

So far, we've highlighted Loyola Marymount and Georgia State, and today it's all about the Tigers of Louisiana State University.

In Short

LSU returns the majority of its starters from 2016, the program's best season to date, and reloads with a few key freshmen. The Tigers could be poised to challenge Florida State and Georgia State for the title of best on the East Coast.

Last Season

20-9 overall, 4-5 in the CCSA
CCSA Semifinals

The Players

Returning Stars

Ashley Allmer | 5-foot-10 | Sophomore | Sarasota, Florida
Jeni Clark | 5-7 | Sophomore | Carlsbad, California
Megan Davenport | 5-11 | Sophomore | Metairie, Louisiana
Lilly Kessler | 5-10 | Sophomore | Augusta, Georgia
Cati Leak | 6-2 | Senior | Guntersville, Alabama
Maddie Ligon | 5-8 | Sophomore | Bedford, Texas
Katie Lindelow | 5-11 | Senior | Covington, Louisiana
Callan Mole | 5-5 | Senior | Galena, Ohio
Mandi Orellana | 5-7 | Junior | Guatemala City, Guatemala

Promising Newcomers

Emmy Allen | 6-1 | Senior | Mill Creek, Washington | Gonzaga Transfer
Taylor Bradley | 5-9 | Freshman | Round Rock, Texas
Claire Coppola | 6-1 | Freshman | Scottsdale, Arizona
Olivia Powers | 6-1 | Freshman | Merrit Island, Florida

Biggest Losses

Victoria Boraski | 5-8 | Senior | New Orleans, Louisiana
Helen Boyle | 5-11 | Senior | Eureka, Missouri

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Opening Weekend Matches

March 4

9 AM ET vs. Florida State at Stetson
1 PM ET vs. Florida Atlantic at Stetson

March 5

8 AM ET at Stetson
10 AM ET Stetson Pairs Tournament

Outlook

Both members of LSU's No. 1 team in 2016, Ashley Allmer and Katie Lindelow, return in 2017, but if the lineup at the Collegiate Beach Bash, a fall tournament in Emerson, Georgia, was any indication, a new top pair may have emerged in the offseason. Freshman Claire Coppola, an AVCA High School Beach First-Team All-American, and junior Mandi Orellana played at the No. 1 spot in the exhibition tournament, leading their squad to the title.

Other potential stars for the 2017 season include incredibly athletic sophomore Maddie Ligon, 2016 CCSA Co-Freshman of the Year Lilly Kessler, and freshman trio Olivia Powers, Kristen Nuss, and Taylor Bradley.