Tampa Volleyball Concludes Season at No. 9
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) unveiled its final poll, listing the University of Tampa ninth in its final installment for NCAA Division II.
The Spartans were ranked in the national top-10 for the entire season, including a total of three weeks at the top. Fresh off its first national championship, Wheeling Jesuit University came in at No. 1 in the final poll, followed by fellow NCAA South Region foe and national runner-up Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Wayne State College (Neb.), Concordia, St. Paul and Rockhurst rounded out the top five. UT and PBA were joined by two Sunshine State Conference schools in the top-25, with Florida Southern (16) and West Florida (25) making the final cut. Saint Leo also received votes.
The SSC champions enjoyed a 2015 campaign that ended with a 27-6 overall record, and a 15-1 SSC showing. Among the feats for the 2015 Spartans were six victories over nationally-ranked opponents, including a 3-0 sweep of eventual national champion Wheeling Jesuit on September 5. UT also stretched its SSC-record consecutive win streak to 59 matches.
This marks 11 consecutive seasons for UT in the top-10 of the final AVCA poll. Additionally, the Spartans have been nationally ranked for 269 consecutive weeks, spanning back to the 1995 season. Tampa has also been within the national top-10 every week since the 2004 season.
The AVCA, with its headquarters in Lexington, Ky., is managed by Associations International. The mission of the AVCA is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy and professional development. With a membership of over 6,400 and counting, the AVCA provides a professional network for those individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and promoting the sport. Members include collegiate, high school, club, youth and Olympic coaches, as well as volleyball club directors. The AVCA provides education to volleyball coaches, recognition of elite players and coaches, promotion of volleyball competitions throughout the world, and networking opportunities for volleyball products and services providers. Further information is available at www.avca.org.