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. 1 spot goes to Nebraska this year, and here's why:

The Upshot

The defending National Champions are in a great position to defend that championship.

Last Season

• 32-4 overall, 17-3 in Big Ten (2nd place) 
  
• 6-0 in NCAA Tournament (NCAA Champions) 
  
• No. 1 in final 2015 RPI 
  
• Team hitting percentage: .274 (#14 in nation) 
  
• Opponents' hitting percentage: .172 (#34 in nation) 
  
• Team blocks per set: 2.77 (#22 in nation)
  

The Players

RETURNING STARS

Kadie Rolfzen | 6-3 | Senior | Outside Hitter
3.30 kills/set (.277); 0.86 blocks/set; First Team All-American

Amber Rolfzen | 6-3 | Senior | Middle Blocker
2.30 kills/set (.358); 1.58 blocks/set (#4 in nation); Second Team All-American

Justine Wong-Orantes | 5-6 | Senior | Libero
4.55 digs/set

Mikaela Foecke | 6-3 | Sophomore | Outside Hitter
3.09 kills/set (.277); 0.54 blocks/set

Kelly Hunter | 5-11 | Junior | Setter
11.64 assists/set (#11 in nation)

PROMISING NEWCOMERS

Briana Holman | 6-1 | Junior | Middle Blocker
Had to sit out 2015 after transferring from LSU

Andie Malloy | 6-2 | Grad Student | Outside Hitter
Transfer from Baylor; 3.05 kills/set (.191); 0.67 blocks/set

Lauren Stivrins | 6-4 | Freshman | Middle Blocker

Hunter Atherton | 5-11 | Freshman | Setter
First Team Under Armour All-American

Tiani Reeves | 6-1 | Redshirt Freshman | Outside Hitter

BIGGEST LOSSES

Kelsey Fien | 6-3 | Outside Hitter
2.62 kills/set (.230); 0.39 blocks/set

Cecilia Hall | 6-3 | Middle Blocker
1.73 kills/set (.300); 2.31 blocks/set

Non-Conference Matches to Watch

August 26: vs. Florida @ Oregon
August 27: vs. Texas @ Oregon
September 17: vs. Creighton

Outlook

Nebraska loses two starters from last year's national championship squad, but coach John Cook (16th season) has plenty to choose from. At outside hitter, Baylor transfer Andie Malloy brings big numbers and one more season of eligibility. She'll compete with 6-0 junior Annika Albrecht and 6-2 sophomore Olivia Boender to see who will replace graduated Kelsey Fine. The Huskers' other opening, MB2, will be filled by 6-1 junior Briana Holman, but Cook describes freshman middle Lauren Stivrins as "big time." Otherwise, Nebraska opponents will see more of what the Huskers offered last season, starting with the Rolfzen twins, opposite Kadie and middle Amber. Cook has two setters named Hunter in his gym: talented returning junior Kelly Hunter and incoming freshman Hunter Atherton. Outside hitter Mikaela Foecke had a monster freshman year and should be solid at OH1. Speaking of solid, senior libero Justine Wong-Orantes got better as the season went along, and the 2015 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year should anchor a defense that, as good as it is, still has room to improve.

Prediction

Nebraska will battle Minnesota and Wisconsin for the conference title, and it has a good chance to host the first four rounds of the tournament in Lincoln. It'll be an upset if Nebraska is not in Columbus for 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
2. Minnesota

Additional research and reporting contributed by Leslie Hamann.