SEATTLE – The last time the Seattle Pacific Falcons had a spot in the national volleyball rankings, they were on their way to California for the NCAA Tournament.
That was almost 12 years ago.
With eight weeks still remaining in the regular season, no team is on their way to this year's NCAAs yet.
But SPU is back in the national rankings.
The Falcons, with a 10-2 overall record, came at No. 24 in this week's poll from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, which was released on Monday. SPU received 118 points.
That capped a most momentous Monday for Seattle Pacific. About an hour before the poll was released, the Falcons were
announced as the Great Northwest Athletic Conference's Team of the Week.
"It's exciting to see," head coach
Jason Rhine said. "But it doesn't mean much unless we make regionals -- and like you said, a lot of tough teams in the (West) region. So hopefully, we keep winning."
It was Nov. 14, 2011, when SPU last found itself in the rankings. The Falcons were No. 25 that week and had just clinched the GNAC title two nights earlier with a victory at Montana State Billings. Along with that came an automatic qualifying spot to the NCAA West Regionals, being played that year in San Bernardino, Calif. SPU fell to Brigham Young-Hawaii in the first round, 3-1.
Seattle Pacific, which went 13-13 last year and was in the conversation for the NCAAs up through the final week, has been getting some notice all year. It started with the preseason poll on Aug. 22 with three points – the last entry in "Also receiving votes" and the 50th school mentioned in that initial poll.
After splitting four matches at the season-opening Seaside Invitational in San Diego, then winning all four at the Cougar Classic in San Marcos, Calif., the following week, the Falcons were up to 23 points, putting them 36th overall. Then they swept their first two Great Northwest Athletic Conference contests, on the road at Western Oregon and at Saint Martin's. That elevated them into a tie for 30th last week with 36 points.
Now, on the heels of last week's 3-0 victory against Northwest Nazarene and 3-2 win against then-No. 15 Central Washington, the Falcons are ranked among the top 25. Included in their 10-2 record is a 4-0 mark in the GNAC.
They have plenty of company around the West Region: six teams (including SPU) ranked in the top 25, and six more receiving votes on at least two ballots.
Cal State San Bernardino (10-2 overall) is now the leading West team, ranking No. 12. Cal Poly Pomona (11-1) is No. 14; Chaminade (13-2) is No. 17; Central Washington (8-4) is No. 18; then it's SPU at No. 24 and Cal State Los Angeles (5-7) at No. 25.
Receiving votes were Sonoma State (36th with 16 points), Point Loma Nazarene and Western Washington (tie 41st with 13 points), Alaska Anchorage and Biola (tie 43rd with 11 points), and Simon Fraser (45th with 9 points).
SPU is on the road this week, playing at Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday and at Alaska Anchorage on Saturday. Both matches start at 8:00 p.m. Pacific time.
AVCA DIVISION II POLL Sept. 25, 2023
| Rank |
School (1st place) |
Points |
Record |
Last Week |
| 1 |
Wayne State (NE) [39] |
1,142 |
11-1 |
1 |
| 2 |
Concordia-St.Paul [6] |
1,129 |
12-1 |
2 |
| 3 |
Tampa [1] |
1,073 |
10-0 |
4 |
| 4 |
Missouri-St. Louis |
1,008 |
14-0 |
5 |
| 5 |
West Texas A&M [1] |
964 |
11-2 |
3 |
| 6 |
St. Cloud State |
937 |
11-2 |
6 |
| 7 |
Metro State Denver |
877 |
9-3 |
8 |
| 8 |
SW Minnesota State |
769 |
9-2 |
9 |
| 9 |
Nebraska-Kearney |
763 |
13-1 |
10 |
| 10 |
Minnesota Duluth |
713 |
10-2 |
7 |
| 11 |
Colorado Mesa |
672 |
12-1 |
11 |
| 12 |
Cal St. San Bernardino |
645 |
10-2 |
14 |
| 13 |
Regis |
506 |
8-3 |
16-T |
| 14 |
Cal Poly Pomona |
495 |
11-1 |
18 |
| 15 |
Washburn |
455 |
9-2 |
13 |
| 16 |
West Florida |
433 |
8-4 |
16-T |
| 17 |
Chaminade |
421 |
13-2 |
12 |
| 18 |
Central Washington |
360 |
8-4 |
15 |
| 19 |
Lewis |
328 |
10-4 |
20 |
| 20 |
Central Oklahoma |
241 |
12-2 |
21 |
| 21 |
Ferris State |
232 |
9-3 |
22 |
| 22 |
Wingate |
161 |
9-2 |
19 |
| 23 |
Rockhurst |
151 |
10-2 |
25 |
| 24 |
Seattle Pacific |
118 |
10-2 |
NR |
| 25 |
Cal State L.A. |
95 |
5-7 |
23 |
Others receiving votes and listed on two or more ballots: Northwest Missouri State 89; Central Missouri 50; Angelo State 49; Walsh 37; Barry 35; Quincy 34; Lynn 30; Hillsdale 19; Winona State 18; Dallas Baptist 17; Sonoma State 16; Anderson (S.C.) 14; Clarion 14; Eckerd 14; Spring Hill 14; Point Loma 13; Western Washington 13; Alaska-Anchorage 11; Biola 11; Simon Fraser University 9; Colorado School of Mines 5; Northern State 4; Bentley 2
9 teams mentioned on only one ballot for a total of 61 combined points
Dropped out: Northwest Missouri State 24
Next poll: Oct. 2
