WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
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Big Ten CommunicationsPublished: 10/9/2024, Last updated: 10/10/2024
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Big Ten Weekly Volleyball Central - Oct. 9-15

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AVCA Top 25 Poll | Big Ten Weekly Release

  • For the second straight week, eight of the Big Ten’s 18 teams are mentioned in this week’s AVCA Coaches Poll, announced on Monday. The poll includes No. 2 Nebraska, No. 3 Penn State, No. 9 Wisconsin, No. 10 Purdue, No. 11 Oregon, No. 14 Minnesota, No. 16 USC and No. 24 Washington. 
  • The Big Ten’s six teams in this week’s top 15 are the most of any conference. The Big Ten’s eight teams among the entire top 25 are also the most of any conference. 
  • USC moved up five spots in this week’s poll after earning its first ranked win of the season over then-No. 16 Minnesota (3-1) on Saturday. The Trojans also topped Michigan  (3-2) on Friday and have now won eight straight home matches. No. 16 is the highest AVCA ranking since Brad Keller took over the program four seasons ago. 
  • With No. 10 Purdue’s 3-0 victory over Michigan State, head coach Dave Shondell became the winningest head coach in program history, earning his 470th win at Purdue. Shondell’s legacy already includes the highest rankings in program history, 23 All-Americans, four NCAA Regional Final berths, including a perfect record in the first round of the tournament. 
  • Purdue’s 71 digs vs. Michigan State set a program record for a three-set match in the current 25-point scoring era. It was also the most digs by the Purdue defense in a three-set match since 2005. 
  • Jess Mruzik was named Big Ten Player of the Week for the second-straight week. She is the first Penn State player to win back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week awards since Haleigh Washington in 2017.
  • Nebraska and Penn State are the only two teams that are unbeaten through the first two weeks of Big Ten play. Penn State will play a pair on the road this week at Michigan State on Friday and at Indiana on Sunday.  Nebraska will look to extend its 34-match home win streak, hosting #10 Purdue on Friday and Rutgers on Saturday.
  • Penn State (.315, 3rd), Nebraska (.298 6th) and Wisconsin (.296, 7th) each rank in the top-10 nationally in hitting percentage. 
  • The third week of conference play begins with a pair of West Coast matches on BTN on Wednesday evening. #11 Oregon visits #16 USC at 9 p.m. ET, followed by #24 Washington vs. UCLA at 11 p.m. ET. Additional ranked matches and TV matches this week include, #2 Nebraska vs. #10 Purdue on Friday on Big Ten Network at 8:30 p.m. ET and a Saturday doubleheader on BTN featuring Michigan State vs. Illinois and #14 Minnesota vs. Maryland. On Sunday, #11 Oregon hosts #24 Washington at 4 p.m. ET. 
  • The NCAA committee will unveil a top 16 ranking on Oct. 20, giving teams and fans an idea of seeding ahead of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. It will be the only committee ranking prior to the official NCAA selection show on Sunday following the conclusion of the regular season.