The American Volleyball Coaches Association has released their weekly regular season Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll and Upper Iowa is one of seven Northern Sun Conference schools in the rankings or receiving votes. The Peacocks are receiving votes for the 14th straight time and are knocking on the door in the No. 27 spot.

Upper Iowa is coming off a perfect 4-0 weekend at the UIndy Invitational in Indianapolis, Ind. The Peacocks defeated No. 12 Wheeling Jesuit University 3-1 to open the tournament and then swept the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and the University of Indianapolis. UIU defeated Quincy University 3-1 in the final match to complete the two-day sweep. Upper Iowa hit .215 over the weekend with 202 kills while holding their opponents to a .168 average and 179 kills. The Peacocks went a combined 12-2 in the 14 sets played, and the defense was clicking over the weekend as the team averaged 19.43 digs/set and 2.07 blocks/set. Upper Iowa also out served their opponents thanks to a 30-8 advantage in aces in the four matches.

Anna Winter led a balanced scoring attack for UIU with 50 kills (3.57/set), while Haley Poula added 39, Kaitlin Niedert chipped in 33 including 20 against Quincy and Bethany Lovhaug collected 31. Malissa LeClaire averaged 11.71 assists/set in the tournament racking up 164 and added 44 digs, 10 aces, 7 kills and 5 blocks. Gabby Holmes anchored the back line with 80 digs (5.71/set), while Haley Weepie put her hands on 52 digs and added 15 kills. At the net, Lovhaug led the group of blockers with 17, but Poula was close behind with 15 and Lauren Wombles added 10.
 
Upper Iowa joins six other Northern Sun Conference members in the preseason poll including the top two ranked programs in the nation; No. 2 Concordia University, St. Paul, No. 3 Northern State University, No. 6 University of Minnesota Duluth, No. 7 Southwest Minnesota State University, No. 19 Wayne State College. Augustana University is also receiving votes.
 
Upper Iowa's home opener is this Thursday, Sept. 6. The Peacocks will welcome the defending NCAA DII Champion and No. 2 Golden Bears of Concordia-St. Paul at 6 p.m.