NCAA Division II Volleyball Rankings: A Comprehensive Overview
Navigating the world of NCAA Division II volleyball can be exciting, especially for those aspiring to get recruited. Understanding team rankings provides insight into the competitive landscape. This article delves into the recent NCAA DII volleyball rankings, highlighting top teams and their performance.
Understanding NCAA Division II
The NCAA, or National Collegiate Athletic Association, serves as the governing body for college athletics, uniting over 1,000 colleges and universities. These institutions categorize their athletic programs into three divisions. NCAA Division II emphasizes a balanced approach, enabling student-athletes to receive scholarships based on their athletic prowess, pursue academic degrees, and actively engage in campus and community life. Division II athletes achieve higher graduation rates compared to their peers and enjoy optimal championships-participant ratio within the NCAA structure. It offers a unique platform for student-athletes to excel academically, athletically, professionally, and personally.
Week 5 Rankings: October 6
The Week 5 NCAA DII volleyball rankings showcase significant shifts among the top contenders.
Top 25 Teams:
- Tampa (37) - 12-0 - Prev. 2
- Nebraska-Kearney (3) - 17-0 - Prev. 3
- Barry (4) - 11-0 - Prev. 4
- Central Oklahoma (2) - 17-1 - Prev. 1
- Point Loma (1) - 13-1 - Prev. 5
- Lynn - 13-1 - Prev. 6
- Simon Fraser - 11-1 - Prev. 7
- Concordia-St. Paul - 11-3 - Prev. 11
- Washburn - 14-1 - Prev. 10
- St. Cloud State - 12-3 - Prev. 13
- Wayne State (Neb.) - 13-3 - Prev. 9
- MSU Denver - 10-3 - Prev. 8
- Minnesota Duluth - 13-1 - Prev. 15
- West Texas A&M - 11-4 - Prev. 14
- Ferris State - 10-4 - Prev. 16
- West Florida - 12-3 - Prev. 17
- Southwest Minnesota State - 10-4 - Prev. 12
- Alaska-Fairbanks - 14-1 - Prev. 23
- Wingate - 14-1 - Prev. 20
- Western Washington - 11-2 - Prev. 19
- Grand Valley State - 10-3 - Prev. 18
- Minnesota State-Mankato - 14-1 - Prev. RV
- Northern State - 11-4 - Prev. 24
- Central Missouri - 11-3 - Prev. RV
- Findlay - 10-2 - Prev. 21
Tampa ascended to the top spot after their fourth week in the top three, garnering 37 first-place votes. The Spartans achieved a 12-0 record, securing victories against Palm Beach Atlantic and Nova Southeastern. Nebraska-Kearney and Barry secured the second and third positions, respectively, each maintaining undefeated records. Central Oklahoma, previously ranked first, fell after their first loss of the season to Central Missouri, who then entered the top 25.
Week 4 Rankings: September 29
Prior to Week 5, the Week 4 rankings provided a different perspective of the top teams.
Read also: Comprehensive Recruiting Guide
Top 25 Teams:
- Central Oklahoma (39) - 16-0 - Prev. 2
- Tampa (2) - 10-0 - Prev. 3
- Nebraska Kearney (1) - 15-0 - Prev. 4
- Barry (2) - 9-0 - Prev. 9
- Point Loma (1) - 10-1 - Prev. 6
- Lynn (2) - 11-1 - Prev. 1
- Simon Fraser - 9-1 - Prev. 11
- MSU Denver - 9-2 - Prev. 5
- Wayne State (Neb.) - 11-2 - Prev. 14
- Washburn - 12-1 - Prev. 7
- Concordia-St. Paul - 9-3 - Prev. 13
- Southwest Minnesota State - 10-2 - Prev. 8
- St. Cloud State - 10-3 - Prev. 15
- West Texas A&M - 9-5 - Prev. 10
- Minnesota Duluth - 11-1 - Prev. 16
- Ferris State - 8-4 - Prev. 12
- West Florida - 10-3 - Prev. 17
- Grand Valley State - 9-2 - Prev. 19
- Western Washington - 10-1 - Prev. 22
- Wingate - 11-1 - Prev. 21
- Findlay - 9-1 - Prev. 23
- Angelo State - 8-5 - Prev. 20
- Alaska-Fairbanks - 13-1 - Prev. RV
- Northern State - 9-4 - Prev. 18
- Colorado Mesa - 7-4 - Prev. 24
Central Oklahoma held the lead, followed by Tampa and Nebraska Kearney. Significant shifts occurred as teams like Barry climbed the ranks.
NSIC Teams in the Central Region
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) demonstrates a strong presence in the Central Region. The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Wayne State ranked second, with Concordia-St. Paul following in fourth, and St. Cloud State also securing a position. The NSIC distinguishes itself as a model Division II conference, prioritizing high-level athletic competition to cultivate champions both academically and within the community, while empowering student-athletes to emerge as impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 through the merging of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has evolved into a union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has a history of winning 27 team national championships and has celebrated 122 individual national champions.
Additional Factors Influencing Recruitment
Beyond team rankings, individual statistics and achievements play a crucial role in volleyball recruitment. While specific player statistics were not provided in the given data, aspiring recruits should focus on improving their skills and maintaining a strong academic record.
Importance of Net Height
For women's volleyball, the standard net height is 7 feet and 4.125 inches (2.24 meters). This standardized height ensures fair competition and allows players to develop their skills effectively.
Read also: NCAA Volleyball RPI Explained
Read also: Anthony Robles: Overcoming Obstacles
tags: #d2 #ncaa #volleyball #rankings
