Wisconsin volleyball is staring down a familiar number today, hitting No. 6 in the latest AVCA coaches poll released on September 7, 2026. The kicker, though, is they landed there *after* going 2-0 since the previous poll dropped, including a huge win over a then-No. 17 Florida squad. You’d think after dropping a spot, they must have had a rough week, right? Absolutely not. Talk about a head-scratcher.
The Wins That Apparently Don’t Count
Seriously, what gives? Wisconsin pulled off a gritty five-set victory against then-No. 17 Florida, a team that’s now sitting at No. 10 after sweeping both No. 20 Baylor and North Texas this past weekend. So Florida is clearly legit, and Wisconsin took them down. They also notched a clean three-set sweep against unranked Auburn. Two wins, zero losses, one spot down in the rankings. The math ain’t mathing for anyone watching these matches. You got players like outside hitter Grace Egan and libero Anna Bardaro battling it out, and the committee just shrugs? It feels like they’re being punished for playing tough competition and actually winning.
Back to Preseason, But Not Forward
This slide puts Wisconsin right back where they started the season, matching their No. 6 spot in the 2026 preseason poll. It’s like the last few weeks of grinding on the court, with outside hitters Audrey Flanagan and Grace Lopez putting in work, didn’t even register for the voters. Even Head Coach Kelly Sheffield is feeling the heat, literally, earning a yellow card for some “colorful language” during that intense Florida match. That’s a coach who lives and dies with every point, and you can bet he is not happy seeing his squad get knocked down a peg after doing everything right. You see outside hitter Eva Travis spiking the ball and defensive specialist Kristen Simon making plays, and you just know this team is giving it their all.
So, here we are. Wisconsin’s talent is undeniable, but the polls are making things interesting. They’re sitting at No. 6, ready to prove to everyone that their winning record means something more than a return to their preseason rank. The grind continues, and you gotta believe they’re already looking to make a statement in their next outing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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