National recognition is the norm for the Coyotes, who open the 2016 campaign ranked No. 20 in the country, according to the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason top-25 poll for women's volleyball.

The top-25 ranking marks the 16th straight season the Coyotes enter a season in the national poll. They are the highest-ranked team from the California Collegiate Athletic Association and one of four West Region squads in the poll.

Coach Kim Cherniss (575-209 overall record) begins her 26th season at the helm and the Coyotes look to continue their success when they open the season Sept. 2 in Big Rapids, Mich., at the Ferris State Invitational. CSUSB opens against No. 10 Minnesota Duluth and follows with host and No. 8 ranked Ferris State later that night. The Coyotes face Grand Valley State, which also received votes, on Sept. 3.

CSUSB faces four of the top 14 teams in the first two weeks of the season. The Coyotes take on No. 14 Alaska-Anchorage and No. 5 Western Washington during the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase in Rohnert Park on Sept. 8-10. The other Coyotes' opponents in the tourney — Dixie State and Cal Baptist — received votes.

The Coyotes will be led by senior All-American MB Malika O'Brien, who finished fifth in hitting percentage (.415) and 14th in total blocks in the NCAA — both tops in the CCAA. Her 131 block assists from a year rank second all-time at CSUSB.

Sophomore setter Jayann DeHoog returns after a stellar freshman season in which she was the AVCA West Region Freshman of the Year. The Bakersfield native led the CCAA in assists (1,469) and assists/set (11.39).

Two-time defending conference champion Sonoma State is ranked 24th. CSUSB and SSU meet just once during the regular season — Nov. 11 at CSUSB's Coussoulis Arena.

CCAA rival UC San Diego also received votes.

Concordia-St. Paul received 25 first-team votes and received the top slot, followed by defending NCAA champion Wheeling Jesuit.

See the complete ranking at the AVCA Division II Coaches Poll web page, and click on “August 16.”

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