Nebraska

(33-1, 19-1)

The Cornhuskers begin the season No. 1 ranked nationally and are the defending NCAA and Big 12 champions. Nebraska also returns reigning National and Big 12 Player of the Year Sarah Pavan along with eight other starters, and 2006 Freshman of the Year Rachel Holloway.

Texas

(24-7, 16-4)

The Longhorns open the season ranked fourth nationally after reaching the Elite 8 last year and finishing third in the Big 12. Texas also returns three 2006 All-American and one 2005 All-American who redshirted last year. Texas also has the second-ranked recruiting class in the nation, which includes preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year Juliann Faucette.

Missouri

(18-13, 11-9)

The Tigers are ranked 20th nationally and reached second round of the NCAA Tournament, taking national runner-up Stanford to five sets. Of their few returnees, two of them are preseason All-Big 12 players in Tatum Ailes and Na Yang.

Texas A&M

(12-16, 5-15)

The Aggies rank 36th nationally after struggling last year with a young team and finishing in a tie for eighth in the Big 12. A&M returns five starters from that team, however.

Colorado

(12-8, 17-12)

The Buffaloes are ranked 31st nationally in the preseason and have a distinction from the rest of the Big 12, beating Nebraska in five games in Boulder. Colorado reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, but the Buffs’ only preseason All-Big 12 player, Amber Sutherland, is now redshirting for an undisclosed reason.

Iowa State

(21-11, 12-8)

The Cyclones open the 2007 season ranked 33rd nationally and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament, losing to Wisconsin. The Cyclones return three starters, two of whom are preseason All-Big 12 players in sophomore setter Kaylee Manns and senior outside hitter Erin Boeve, an honorable mention All-American from a year ago.

Kansas State

(12-18, 4-16)

The Wildcats look to rebound from a season where they finished second-to-last because of many injuries. Along with six starters returning, Kansas State also brought in the preseason newcomer of the year from Russia, Nataly Korobkova, who had a 30-kill match in the spring.

Baylor

(18-15, 6-14)

The Bears finished seventh in the Big 12 last year but have brought in six newcomers in a highly ranked recruiting class. Baylor also started four freshman a year ago who all return, including Taylor Barnes, who was named All-Big 12 in the preseason.

Oklahoma

(28-6, 17-3)

The Sooners are ranked 22nd nationally, despite only returning two starters, but five other players who logged significant playing time are back from a team that reached the Sweet Sixteen. The Sooners only dropped two matches to Nebraska and one to Texas to finish second in the Big 12 last year.

Kansas

(10-19, 3-17)

The Jayhawks’ schedule won’t help them improve from last year’s last-place Big 12 finish. More than half of Kansas’ matches are against NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago. They do, however, return four starters from a young team.

Texas Tech

(12-17, 5-15)

The Red Raiders lost several close matches last year and return five starters from that team. Texas Tech have brought in recruits who raise some optimism that they can improve on their preseason conference ranking.