Big 12 Volleyball Finishes First in 2011 NCAA RPI

Jan. 4, 2012

IRVING, Texas — For the first time in league history, Big 12 volleyball teams have combined to finish first in the final conference NCAA RPI rankings, the league office announced Wednesday afternoon.

In 2011, eight of the nine Big 12 teams finished in the top 50, also a record amount. The league’s previous high was set in 2006 when seven teams finished in the top 50.

Kansas (15-14) debuted on Oct. 17 at No. 39 and finished the regular season at No. 47.

The top conference spot is the highest for the league since it ranked second at the conclusion of the 2001 season. The Big 12 also placed second in 1998.

This season, the Big 12 finished with five teams ranked in the NCAA RPI top 30 – tied for the most by a conference – including Texas at No. 2 and Iowa State at No. 3.

It marks the first time since 2006 that five or more league squads have been in the top 30 and is the fourth time overall (2011, `06, `04, 1998). UT and ISU’s top four finishes are the highest for a pair of league squads since the 2008 season when Nebraska finished third and Texas was fourth.