No. 9 Volleyball Continues Climb in National Rankings
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – As the University of Kansas volleyball team continues to win at an unprecedented rate, its national ranking is following suit.
The Jayhawks (17-0, 5-0 Big 12) moved up one spot to No. 9 in this week’s AVCA Coaches Poll released on Monday, after sweeping both Texas Tech and Iowa State last week. KU’s top-10 ranking is the highest in program history for the fourth consecutive week, joining a long list of program-bests this season, including best start to a season and longest winning streak.
“Being a top-10 team is really a great thing for our program, but we are not losing sight of our goals of improving each day to give ourselves the chance to win the Big 12 and perform at a high level in the postseason,” KU head coach Ray Bechard said.
The Jayhawks have been ranked in the top-25 for six consecutive weeks and have at least received votes in all eight of the AVCA’s weekly polls this season. Entering the 2015 season, the Jayhawks’ highest ranking was No. 17 on Dec. 23, 2013.
Kansas joins No. 1 USC as the two remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division I volleyball. The Jayhawks are one of two top-10 teams from the Big 12 Conference (No. 2 Texas).
NCAA RPI
Kansas checks in at No. 8 in the most recent NCAA Rating Percentage Index (RPI) released on Monday.
TOP-RANKED OFFENSE
The Jayhawks lead the nation in offensive production, ranking No. 1 in hitting percentage (.323), kills (15.4), and assists (14.5). Sophomore setter Ainise Havili, this week’s Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, leads the nation in assists (12.5).
UP NEXT
Kansas returns to action on the road against Baylor on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT.
KU AVCA COACHES POLL WEEK-BY-WEEK
WEEK: AVCA Rank (Record)
Preseason: rv (0-0)
Aug. 31: rv (3-0)
Sept. 7: 22 (6-0)
Sept. 14: 17 (9-0)
Sept. 21: 15 (12-0)
Sept. 28: 12 (14-0)
Oct. 5: 10 (15-0)
Oct. 12: 9 (17-0)
