Re-Ranking the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Regional Round Teams
After an exhilarating second round of the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament, I’ve re-ranked the 16 remaining teams heading into the regional rounds. This ranking adjusts the original seeds based on the teams’ performances in the tournament so far. Below are the updated rankings, along with their original seeding:
- Pitt (Seed No. 1)
- Nebraska (Seed No. 1)
- Penn State (Seed No. 1)
- Stanford (Seed No. 2)
- Creighton (Seed No. 2)
- Louisville (Seed No. 1)
- Texas (Seed No. 3)
- Wisconsin (Seed No. 2)
- Kentucky (Seed No. 3)
- Purdue (Seed No. 4)
- Missouri (Seed No. 7)
- Texas A&M (Seed No. 6)
- Oregon (Seed No. 4)
- Florida (Seed No. 6)
- Dayton (Seed No. 5)
- Marquette (Seed No. 5)
Dominating the Top Three
There’s no movement among the top three teams, as Pitt, Nebraska, and Penn State maintained their dominant forms. Pitt and Nebraska swept both of their matches, with Nebraska’s defence holding opponents to a mind-blowing.010 hitting percentage. Meanwhile, Penn State lost just one set against North Carolina in the second round but looked sharp overall.
Stanford and Creighton Shine
The No. 2 seeds, Stanford and Creighton, move up due to their strong performances. Both teams secured sweeps in their first two matches, with Stanford edging slightly ahead. The Cardinal’s dominance included a win over a seeded opponent, Loyola Marymount while hitting an NCAA-best.467 across two matches. Creighton was also exceptional, particularly in a 25-7 third-set dismantling of Ole Miss.
Louisville Stumbles but Stays in Contention
Louisville, the last remaining No. 1 seed, drops to sixth after a nail-biting five-set win over UNI. Despite struggling, the Cardinals showed grit, winning 22-20 in the fifth set and holding opponents to a.082 hitting percentage overall. This tough match may serve as a wake-up call for Louisville moving forward.
Texas and Wisconsin Hold Strong
The defending champions, Texas, climbed to seventh after sweeping USC in a dominant display. Madi Skinner returned to peak postseason form with 23 kills and a.347 hitting percentage. Wisconsin, meanwhile, secured a hard-fought win over Georgia Tech in four sets. With a deep and talented roster, the Badgers remain a strong contender.
Kentucky and Purdue Impress
Kentucky and Purdue land next, showcasing their prowess in the second round. Kentucky’s win over a tough Minnesota squad was particularly noteworthy, as the Wildcats appear to be peaking at the perfect time. Purdue handled both rounds with ease, thanks to the consistent brilliance of Eva Hudson.
Newcomers in the Top 16
Two unseeded teams, Missouri and Texas A&M, make their debut in the rankings after stunning performances. Missouri dominated SMU, displaying versatility with strong serving and balanced attack. Logan Lednicky and Ifenna Cos Okpalla led the Aggies in an impressive four-set win over Arizona State, showcasing their offensive efficiency.
Oregon, Florida, and Underdogs
Oregon claims 13th after defeating TCU in four sets, led by Mimi Colyer’s 19 kills. Florida, ranked 14th, survived a grueling five-set match against Kansas, with Kennedy Martin notching an astonishing 30 kills. These two teams are poised for thrilling battles in the next round.
Finally, Dayton and Marquette round out the rankings after upsetting higher-seeded opponents in five sets. Lexie Almodovar was instrumental for Dayton, while Aubrey Hamilton powered Marquette to victory with 20 kills against Utah.
With only 16 teams left, the competition is set to heat up. Expect fierce battles as teams fight for a spot in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship.
