University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Ranked No. 10 in Final Poll
12/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The Minnesota volleyball team was ranked No. 10 in the final top 25 poll according to an announcement by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Tuesday, Dec. 21. The Gophers received 916 points in the final poll, which was their most since Aug. 30 when they had 1,123 points.
Minnesota's No. 10 ranking was its highest since Aug. 30 when it was No. 8 in the nation. The Gophers were also No. 6 in this year's AVCA preseason poll.
It marks the second straight season and the fifth time in eight years that Minnesota has finished in the top 10 in the final poll. The Gophers were No. 4 last year, No. 6 in 2006, No. 2 in 2004 and No. 4 in 2003. Minnesota is one of only six teams in the nation to finish ranked in the top 10 in both 2009 and 2010. The Gophers are also one of only 10 programs in the nation to be ranked No. 10 or higher in a final poll five times or more since 2003.
Minnesota finished the 2010 season with a 26-9 record after tying for second place in the Big Ten at 14-6. The Gophers went 12-2 in their final 14 contests and won nine in a row before losing to eventual national runner-up Cal in the Regional Semifinals.
The Gophers were also the last team to beat eventual National Championship winner Penn State, and the only one to defeat the Nittany Lions in the final two months of the season when Penn State went 19-1. Minnesota rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Nittany Lions in five sets on Nov. 27.
This season, the Gophers defeated every team in the Big Ten for the first time since 2004. Minnesota also went 9-1 in the second half of Big Ten play and advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the eighth time in the last 12 seasons.
Minnesota's No. 10 ranking was its highest since Aug. 30 when it was No. 8 in the nation. The Gophers were also No. 6 in this year's AVCA preseason poll.
It marks the second straight season and the fifth time in eight years that Minnesota has finished in the top 10 in the final poll. The Gophers were No. 4 last year, No. 6 in 2006, No. 2 in 2004 and No. 4 in 2003. Minnesota is one of only six teams in the nation to finish ranked in the top 10 in both 2009 and 2010. The Gophers are also one of only 10 programs in the nation to be ranked No. 10 or higher in a final poll five times or more since 2003.
Minnesota finished the 2010 season with a 26-9 record after tying for second place in the Big Ten at 14-6. The Gophers went 12-2 in their final 14 contests and won nine in a row before losing to eventual national runner-up Cal in the Regional Semifinals.
The Gophers were also the last team to beat eventual National Championship winner Penn State, and the only one to defeat the Nittany Lions in the final two months of the season when Penn State went 19-1. Minnesota rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Nittany Lions in five sets on Nov. 27.
This season, the Gophers defeated every team in the Big Ten for the first time since 2004. Minnesota also went 9-1 in the second half of Big Ten play and advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the eighth time in the last 12 seasons.
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