BRIDGEPORT, Pa. -- The Augustana Vikings men's water polo team will begin the 2023 campaign ranked in the top 10, earning No. 10 in the first edition of the men's varsity DIII rankings.

The Vikings ended the 2022 season receiving votes and earned just enough at 36 points to crack the top 10 entering this year. Augie is set to face five teams currently ranked in the top 10 this season, with two additional teams receiving votes also on their schedule.

Additionally, the MPSF released its preseason coaches' poll, tabbing Augustana second in the East division. The defending champion Vikings return 16 of their 18 players from the team's first year in the MPSF in 2022, including nine who had double-digit goals. The Vikings totaled 20 points for second-place in the poll, two behind Austin, with Declan Hutton, Colin McDowell, Joseph Addison, and Oskar Bannister as returning All-Americans.

Augustana opens the new season on September 2 at Brown.