The postseason push in college volleyball is getting absolutely real as Halloween approaches, and our very own No. 21 Washington Huskies just delivered a massive statement. They ended Wisconsin’s brief two-game win streak with a thrilling five-set victory, marking the Badgers’ first loss this season to an opponent outside of the top 10. Talk about putting the rest of the league on notice! After that huge win, the Dawgs climbed one spot to No. 20 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. This is exactly the kind of momentum we need in the Emerald City!
Huskies Take Down a Top Contender
That five-set battle against Wisconsin wasn’t just a win, it was a declaration. The Badgers, led by Coach Kelly Sheffield, looked like they were stumbling with eight reception errors in that loss, their most in a single game this entire season. While Wisconsin did bounce back with a clean sweep over Michigan later in the week, that Huskies victory still stands as a huge resume booster for Washington. Our Dawgs proved they can hang with anyone, making it clear that opportunities at a premium are exactly what they thrive on.
Nebraska and Pitt Command the Rankings
While the Huskies are making waves, Nebraska continues to dominate the national scene, holding firm as the top-ranked team. They’re an unblemished 21-0 on the season, after back-to-back sweeps of the Big Ten’s Los Angeles programs, Southern California and UCLA. Their outside hitter Andi Jackson is absolutely crushing it, ranking third in the nation with a .479 hitting percentage, and setter Bergen Reilly is dishing out dimes, sitting fourth nationally with 11.24 assists per set.
Right behind them, No. 2 Pitt, with Olivia Babcock leading the charge, also had a flawless week. They won both of their road matches against Georgia Tech and Clemson. The Panthers put on a clinic against Clemson on Sunday, hitting a ridiculous .700 scoring percentage in the third set without a single attack error, and finishing the day with a .475 attack percentage, their second-highest of the year. These two are playing at another level!
Tennessee’s Big Week and the Full Poll
Outside the top two, Tennessee had a huge week, really boosting their NCAA Tournament resume with a pair of ranked wins. They pulled off an incredible five-set reverse-sweep against then-No. 4 Kentucky, a match where three of their players recorded double-doubles, including Kennedi Rogers with 13 kills and a career-high 13 digs. They followed that up with a clean sweep over then-No. 22 Vanderbilt. That’s the kind of performance that can change a team’s season trajectory!
Here’s a look at the full updated AVCA poll after Week 9:
* Nebraska (63 first-place votes)
* Pitt
* Louisville
* Florida
* SMU
* Tennessee
* Kentucky
* Wisconsin
* BYU
* Arizona State
* Purdue
* Oregon
* Penn State
* Texas
* Kansas
* TCU
* Texas A&M
* Stanford
* Indiana
* Washington
* Minnesota
* North Carolina
* Vanderbilt
* Baylor
* Michigan State
With Halloween just around the corner, the postseason is truly in full swing, and every single match holds massive weight. Our Huskies are proving they belong among the nation’s elite, and we’ll be watching every single serve and spike as they chase glory! The momentum is real, Dawgs! Let’s keep it rolling!
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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