University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Move up in Rankings
10/19/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The University of Minnesota volleyball program is moving up the ranks after two wins over Wisconsin last week.
In the recent NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) ranks, the Golden Gophers hold the seventh-best ranking in the nation. The RPI is one of the tools used by the NCAA Selection Committee to evaluate teams for the post season. In the top 10 alone, four hail from the Big Ten Conference in Nebraska (2), Ohio State (4) Gophers (7) and Penn State (9). Along with Big Ten teams ranked high in the RPI, Minnesota also competed against Louisville (16), North Carolina (29) and Stanford (22) in the non-conference season.
Minnesota jumped from No. 11 to No. 9 in the recent American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. Southern California is undefeated and ranked No. 1, followed by Texas (2), Nebraska (3), Washington (4) and Penn State (5). Also ranked in the top 25 are Big Ten foes Ohio State (6), Wisconsin (16), Illinois (16), Purdue (19) and Michigan (23). Michigan State is also receiving votes. It's the highest ranking the Gophers have had since November 2013.
The Gophers travel to No. 3 Nebraska and Iowa Friday and Saturday nights. Both match times are set for 7 p.m. The Gophers, Huskers and Ohio State Buckeyes are currently in a three-way tie for first place in the Big Ten standings, all at 7-1 in league play. Both Gopher matches this weekend will be streamed on BTN Plus this weekend.
