Huskers Voted Preseason No. 1

The Nebraska bowling team has been voted the top team in the National Tenpin Coaches Association 2016-17 Preseason Poll, released Monday.

The Cornhuskers received eight first-place votes and a total of 1,312 points in the poll, coming in just ahead of defending NCAA champions Stephen F. Austin. Arkansas State ranked third in the poll, while Vanderbilt and McKendree rounded out the top five.

The Huskers return nine bowlers from last year's squad which finished second at the NCAA Championships, including three All-Americans in Julia Bond, Gazmine Mason and Briana Zabierek.

This is the fourth year in a row that NU has been tabbed as the top team in the preseason NTCA poll.

Nebraska begins its season Oct. 21-23 at the Wildcat Invitational in Orlando, Fla., hosted by Bethune-Cookman.