The Upper Iowa volleyball team continues to make program history with a four-spot promotion in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Top-25 poll. After going 1-1 on the road against two ranked opponents last weekend, the Peacocks made the biggest leap of any previously ranked team by moving from No. 22 to No. 18.
The move marks the fourth consecutive week Upper Iowa has been recognized in the top-25 poll and the third straight week the Peacocks have reset their highest program ranking; UIU came in at No. 25 in the first regular season poll, moved up to No. 23 the second week, and spent last week ranked No. 22 in the nation. Upper Iowa received 310 votes in this week's poll, surpassing last week's total by over 100 votes.
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference is well represented in the national rankings with nine teams in the top-25, including four in the top-10. Along with Upper Iowa, Minnesota Duluth (No. 4), Concordia-St. Paul (No. 7), Northern State (No. 8), Southwest Minnesota State (No. 9), St. Cloud State (No. 11), Wayne State (No. 15), Winona State (No. 19), and Sioux Falls (No. 24) all earned a spot in this week's poll.
Upper Iowa (11-3, 3-3 NSIC) is coming off a weekend split on the road. The Peacocks started the week with a 3-0 loss to No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State on Friday despite leading for much of the hard-fought battle. Less than 24 hours later, Upper Iowa pulled off a big five-set victory over then-No. 19 Sioux Falls to earn their second five-set victory against an opponent either ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA poll. Anna Winter knocked down 28 kills to lead the team with 3.50 kills per set, while Kaitlin Niedert recorded 24 kills for a 3.00 per set average. Carlee Ketchum averaged 10.38 assists/set to help guide UIU to a .227 hitting percentage, and added 21 digs, four kills, four blocks, and two aces. Defensively, Haley Weepie (31 digs) and Charisma Herr (28) paced the team on the backline while Sarah Johnson and Claire Milnes led the team at the net with six blocks each.
Upper Iowa returns to Fayette this week for a three-game home stand. The Peacocks will host Augustana University and No. 15 Wayne State College on Oct. 11-12 before playing their first Tuesday match of the year on Oct. 15 against Minnesota State University-Mankato. Both Augustana and Wayne State split last weekend's matches while Minnesota State dropped a pair.
Upper Iowa All-Time in AVCA Top 25
Oct. 7, 2019 - No. 18
Sept. 30, 2019 - No. 22
Sept. 23, 2019 - No. 23
Sept. 16, 2019 - No. 25
Oct. 30, 2017 - No. 25
