AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll Week 1 (Sept. 7, 2015)

After a 3-1 opening weekend at the Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic in Tampa, Florida, the University of Minnesota Duluth moved from the No. 4 ranking up one spot to third in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll released Monday.

No. 3 UMD knocked off the No. 1-ranked University of Tampa (preseason and currently) as well as No. 9 Wheeling Jesuit University on the weekend but fell in five sets against No. 24 Western Washington. Tampa stays put on the top spot, losing its grip on first-place votes with 23 overall while the Bulldogs pick up five. Wheeling Jesuit moves to No. 10, and Western Washington to No. 19 in the new poll. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference rival Concordia University, St. Paul moves to No. 4; Southwest Minnesota State University remains No. 2; Wayne State (Neb.) College moves up one spot to No. 5. Minnesota State University Mankato, Winona State University, Augustana (S.D.) University, and Northern State University are all among the teams receiving votes.

This week, the Bulldogs dive back into non-conference play as the team travels to the University of Indianapolis for the U-Indy Tournament this Friday and Saturday. UMD faces off once again with WJU as well as ranked foes No. 6 Colorado School of Mines and Ashland (Ohio) University (R.V.). The Bulldogs and Orediggers will open play Friday at 9:00 a.m. in Indianapolis.