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. 15 spot goes to Texas A&M this year, and here's why:

The Upshot

Bad news for A&M's SEC opponents: the 2015 conference champion Aggies return all but one starter for 2016.

Last Season

• 24-7 overall, 16-2 in SEC (1st place) 1-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-0 at home to Hawai'i)
• No. 9 in final 2015 RPI
• Team hitting percentage: .272 (#16 in nation)
• Opponents' hitting percentage: .212 (#203 in nation)
• Team blocks per set: 2.50 (#39 in nation)

The Players

RETURNING STARS

Stephanie Aiple | 6-1 | Junior | Setter
11.44 assists/set (#15 in nation); 2015 SEC Player of the Year

Jazzmin Babers | 6-2 | Senior | Middle Blocker
3.17 kills/set (.412); 1.37 blocks/set; 2015 Second Team AVCA All American

Kiara McGee | 5-11 | Junior | Outside Hitter
2.96 kills/set (.191); 0.40 blocks/set

Emily Hardesty | 6-3 | Senior | Outside Hitter
1.82 kills/set (.197); 0.35 blocks/set

Ashlie Reasor | 6-1 | Junior | Opposite
2.06 kills/set (.224); 0.74 blocks/set

PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Hollann Hans | 6-1 | Freshman | Outside Hitter

Maddie Douglas | 6-1 | Freshman | Maddie Douglas

Kiana Peroff | 6-2 | Freshman | Outside Hitter

BIGGEST LOSSES

Shelby Sullivan | 6-0 | Middle Blocker
2.38 kills/set (.377); 0.94 blocks/set

Non-Conference Matches to Watch

August 27 vs. Ohio State @ North Texas
September 1 vs. Florida State @ Puerto Rico
September 1 vs. Minnesota @ Puerto Rico
September 14 @ Texas
September 16 vs. Wisconsin

Outlook

Coach Laurie Corbelli (24th season at A&M; 31st overall) says her team will miss its only graduated player, middle blocker Shelby Sullivan. "She was the glue," Corbelli said, "such a wonderful leader." That said, the Aggies have one of the most veteran teams in the nation, led by 2015 SEC Player of the Year, junior setter Stephanie Aiple. Aiple's success is all the more surprising considering her history of back injuries, which forces her to modify her training. Even so, says Corbelli, "Steph is super-accurate, which is 90 percent of being a good setter." A&M's middles are the team's offensive strength, although junior outside hitter Kiara McGee may have made the most progress in the offseason. The Aggies surely have the toughest non-conference schedule in the country, facing Ohio State, Florida State, Minnesota and Texas on the road, and Wisconsin at home. "Why not?" Corbelli said. "We love playing high-level volleyball teams. It helps us gain confidence, whether we win or not."

Prediction

Teams have challenged Florida's SEC dominance over the years, but few have pulled it off more than one year in a row. Texas A&M might just be the team that pulls off a conference title repeat.

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

Additionally research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.