Check out the FloVolleyball NCAA Countdown, where we rank the top 20 collegiate women's volleyball teams in the country leading up to opening day on August 26. The No. 16 spot goes to Purdue this year, and here's why:

The Upshot

Coach Dave Shondell says the Big Ten is the country's toughest conference and this will be the toughest year ever, although he expects "some separation" between the best six teams and the lesser eight.

Last Season

• 23-10 overall, 13-7 in Big Ten (5th place)
• 1-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-1 @ Texas)
• No. 32 in final 2015 RPI
• Team hitting percentage: .262 (#27 in nation)
• Opponents' hitting hercentage: .190 (#105 in nation)
• Team blocks per set: 2.37 (#65 in nation)

The Players

RETURNING STARS

Faye Adelaja | 6-1 | Senior | Middle Blocker
2.38 kills/set (.397); 0.89 blocks/set

Danielle Cuttino | 6-4 | Junior | Middle Blocker
2.04 kills/set (.348); 1.21 blocks/set

Azariah Stahl | 6-0 | Junior | Outside Hitter
1.80 kills/set (.179); 0.37 blocks/set

Ashley Evans | 6-1 | Junior | Setter
11.06 assists/set

PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Sherridan Atkinson | 6-6 | Sophomore | Outside Hitter
Transfer from Long Beach State

Blake Mohler | 6-2 | Redshirt Freshman | Middle Blocker

Shavona Cuttino | 6-2 | Redshirt Freshman | Middle Blocker

Natalie Haben | 5-9 | Freshman | Libero

BIGGEST LOSSES

Annie Drews | 6-4 | Middle Blocker
4.25 kills/set (.253); 0.69 blocks/set; Second Team All-American

Sam Epenesa | 6-0 | Outside Hitter
2.09 kills/set (.203); 0.28 blocks/set

Amanda Neill | 5-8 | Libero
4.02 digs/set

Alexa Smith | 6-1 | Sophomore | Outside Hitter
Transferred to Colorado; 0.72 kills/set (.145); 0.18 blocks/set

Non-Conference Matches to Watch

August 27 vs. Kentucky
September 9 @ Stanford
September 16 vs. Kansas

Outlook

Coach Dave Shondell (14th season) says his team is talented but not particularly deep: middle blocker Faye Adelaja is the only senior on his roster. The Boilermakers graduated big hitters Annie Drews and Sam Epenesa, but neither put up particularly impressive blocking numbers. Shondell plans to upgrade Purdue's defense, hoping 6-6 Long Beach State transfer Sherridan Atkinson will put a few opposing hitters off their game. Atkinson got injured last summer, and appeared in only three matches as a 49er. Incoming freshman Natalie Haben was rated among the nation's top prep liberoes and may be the starter. The Boilermakers have a new high-tech softer surface in volleyball-only Holloway Gym. To help improve the team's chances for a higher RPI, Shondell invited Kentucky and Kansas for early season non-conference matches, and will face a big-time test against Stanford in Palo Alto.

Prediction

Coach Shondell is right: The Big Ten is tough. If it avoids injuries, look for Purdue to scramble with Ohio State and Penn State for a spot just behind Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Previously:
20. Louisville
19. UNC
18. BYU
17. Illinois

Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.