Tampa Recaptures No. 1 Rank in Latest AVCA Poll

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The University of Tampa volleyball team regains the No. 1 rank in the nation as announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association in its latest coaches' poll, Monday.

The Spartans reclaim the top rank in Division II after posting a 3-0 weekend at the Gulf South Conference/Sunshine State Conference South Region Crossover on the campus of West Georgia. UT is now 16-3 on the season with a perfect 6-0 mark in SSC play. Tampa received 19 first-place votes, edging the No. 2 squad by a single vote.

Jumping four spots in the poll is undefeated Northern State, as the Wolves sit No. 2 in the nation after defeating previous No. 1, Concordia, St. Paul, by a 3-1 score on Saturday. The Golden Bears fall to No. 4 while Ferris State fits in as the No. 3 team in Division II. Southwest Minnesota State rounds out the top five with the fifth overall rank in the latest AVCA poll.

Tied for sixth are Wayne State (Neb.) and Wheeling Jesuit, as the latter picked up a first-place vote. Minnesota-Duluth continues its free-fall, dropping to No. 8 after being swept by No. 6 Wayne State (Neb.) on Saturday afternoon. Rockhurst and Central Oklahoma conclude the top-10, garnering the No. 9 and No. 10 ranks, respectively.

SSC rival Florida Southern College drops a spot to No. 15 while regional foes Palm Beach Atlantic and West Florida round out the South Region with No. 17 and No. 20 rankings, respectively.

UT has now earned a ranking from the AVCA for 263 consecutive polling periods, a mark that ranks second only to No. 12 Central Missouri, as both are active program records. Tampa holds the Division II record for most times ranked in the top 10 with 254 releases of the AVCA coaches' poll and have garnered a top-10 rank for 142 consecutive releases.

The Spartans will continue conference play on Friday, facing Nova Southeastern for a 7 p.m. road contest. Live stats as well as a live video webcast will be made available through www.tampaspartans.com.

Click here for the complete AVCA Week 7 release

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