Even though it is only August, the start of fall sports brings a certain excitement with it. This excitement comes as teams start to fight for conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths. So here is a quick look at what the teams are looking for this fall.

Golf

Both the men and women’s teams start playing this fall. After sixth and third place finishes respectively in the Summit League Championships last May, the teams are just looking to build for the spring when the real season begins. For the men, a boost comes in the form of Connor Holland, who will come back after missing all of last year with an injury. For the women, they return five, including the top two scorers in Natalie Roth and Alex Schmid.

Cross Country

The season is just kicking off for the cross country teams, yet they still look strong coming off of last year. The women return a strong core of runners, and look strong even after graduating Erin Teschuk, who represented Canada in the 1,500m Steeplechase in Rio. Other than Teschuk, the rest of the top seven runners return. For the men, another four of the top five return.

Volleyball

Even through a tough schedule, this veteran squad looks prime for a good run in the conference tournament. Returning eight seniors, the team will look to improve on their fourth place regular season finish in the Summit League and losing in the first round of the playoff to South Dakota. Also on the Bison side, there will be an addition to the home court advantage, with air conditioning now in the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.

Soccer

The reigning regular season champions of the Summit League look to go one better this year, take the playoff crown as well. After getting bumped out by South Dakota State in the Summit League final last year, they will look to take full advantage of being at Dacotah Field for the Summit League Tournament come October. Most of the attacking threat returns from last year, including Lauren Miller, Amy Yang, and Britney Monteon, the top three scorers from last year.

Football

Before looking to December and the playoffs, there may be another target for the Bison. A key trip in September to Iowa City to play the Hawkeyes may yet serve to spark an argument of FBS/FCS competitiveness. But like always, Bison Nation turns its eyes down the calendar to December and January, hoping that another trip to Texas is in the cards, as well as an unprecedented sixth national championship.