University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Move Up Five Spots In Poll
9/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
After a five set win over then-No. 12 Ohio State last Wednesday, and taking No. 1 Penn State to five sets Saturday, the University of Minnesota volleyball program moved up five spots in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, announced by the AVCA today.
Minnesota, who entered last week’s Big Ten season as the No. 21 team, moved up five spots after the first weekend of Big Ten play. The Golden Gophers (9-3, 1-1) defeated OSU, 3-2, in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday night. They followed that performance with a 3-2 loss to the two-time defending national champions, Penn State, Saturday. Minnesota, however, was the first program this season to win a set against the Nittany Lions, which broke a 43-0 PSU set run (dating back to the 2014 NCAA Final Four).
Minnesota is one of eight teams ranked in the latest AVCA poll. Penn State holds the No. 1 spot, followed by Nebraska (4), Illinois (7), Ohio State (13), Minnesota (16), Purdue (18), Wisconsin (19) and Michigan (23). Michigan State and Iowa are receiving votes.
The Golden Gophers return to the Sports Pavilion confines this Wednesday and Saturday. Minnesota hosts Northwestern (10-3 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) on Wednesday, followed by No. 7 Illinois (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten) on Saturday. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m. starts.
