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. 2 spot goes to Minnesota this year, and here's why:

The Upshot

The talented Golden Gophers won't surprise anyone this year. Don't be surprised, however, if they get back to the national semifinals.

Last Season

• 30-5 overall, 18-2 in Big Ten (conference champion)
• 4-1 in NCAA Tournament (lost 3-1 in NCAA Semifinals to Texas)
• No. 3 in final 2015 RPI
• Team hitting percentage: .272 (#16 in nation)
• Opponents' hitting percentage: .180 (#57 in nation)
• Team blocks per set: 2.88 (#14 in nation)

The Players

RETURNING STARS

Hannah Tapp | 6-2 | Senior | Middle Blocker
2.90 kills/set (.350); 1.11 blocks/set; First Team All-American

Samantha Seliger-Swenson | 5-11 | Sophomore | Setter
11.80 assists/set (#9 in nation); Second Team All-American

Paige Tapp | 6-1 | Senior | Middle Blocker
2.29 kills/set (.320); 1.16 blocks/set; Third Team All-American

Sarah Wilhite | 6-1 | Senior | Outside Hitter
2.56 kills/set (.247); 0.62 blocks/set

Alyssa Goehner | 5-11 | Junior | Outside Hitter
0.94 kills/set (.194); 0.24 blocks/set

Molly Lohman | 6-3 | Junior | Middle Blocker
1.41 kills/set (.314); 1.34 blocks/set (#28 in nation)

Dalianliz Rosado | 5-9 | Junior | Libero
4.18 digs/set

Katie Schau | 5-8 | Senior | Defensive Specialist
2.23 digs/set

PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Brittany McLean | 6-1 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
First Team Under Armour All-American

Alexis Hart | 6-0 | Freshman | Outside Hitter
First Team Under Armour All-American

Regan Pittman | 6-5 | Freshman | Middle Blocker
First Team Under Armour All-American

Taylor Morgan | 6-0 | Redshirt Freshman | Middle Blocker
6-0 Redshirt Freshman Middle Blocker Taylor Morgan

Lauren Litzau | 5-8 | Freshman | Libero

BIGGEST LOSSES

Daly Santana | 6-1 | Outside Hitter
4.53 kills/set (#13 in nation) (.254); 0.44 blocks/set; First Team All-American

Non-Conference Matches to Watch

August 28: @ Stanford
September 2: vs. Texas A&M @ Puerto Rico
September 3: vs. Florida State @ Puerto Rico
September 9: vs. Louisville @ North Carolina
September 10: @ North Carolina

Outlook

Minnesota started last season with road losses to Stanford and Texas A&M, then went on to win the Big Ten and reach the Final Four, notching victories over the likes of Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Penn State along the way. Almost all of that team is back, save for graduated All-American outside hitter Daly Santana. Coach Hugh McCutcheon (fifth season) says he has several OH candidates in the mix, including senior Sarah Wilhite, junior Alyssa Goehner and two sensational freshmen: Alexis Hart and Brittany McLean. The Golden Gophers will again have imposing blockers, led by sisters Hannah Tapp and Paige Tapp, and junior Molly Lohman. There's even more depth at the position, with redshirt freshman Taylor Morgan and incoming freshman 6-5 Regan Pittman. Sophomore setter Samantha Seliger-Swenson had a sensational freshman year. "She's had a taste of it," McCutcheon said, "and she wants more. She's very driven." Steady junior Dalianliz Rosado returns at libero, with freshman Lauren Litzau making an early impression.

Prediction

Minnesota exceeded outsiders' expectations in 2016 … but not their own. It will take another solid effort to finish among the Big Ten elite, but this roster has athletes who already know what it takes to get to the Final Four.

Previously:
20. Louisville
19. UNC
18. BYU
17. Illinois
16. Purdue
15. Texas A&M
14. Oregon
13. Ohio State
12. Penn State
11. Florida
10. USC
9. Hawaii
8. Washington
7. Kansas
6. UCLA
5. Wisconsin
4. Stanford
3. Texas

Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.