Washburn women’s volleyball jump into top five in DII poll: AVCA

McKayla Theleus (Barry), Nathaly Perez (Tampa), and Taylor Rottinghaus (Washburn) have contributed to their squads’ recent successes.

The Tampa women’s volleyball team haven’t dropped a match all season, and have found themselves sitting at No. 1 again in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll.

The week six Division II poll was published earlier this week. The poll is made up of weekly votes from a committee of AVCA member coaches, who analyze results and vote for the top teams in their respective divisions and conferences.

Tampa are 14-0.

Nathaly Perez, Spartan senior outside hitter, led the team in kills (5) during the team's last match-up against Rollins College. Perez has the third highest rank of the team for kills (116), points (135.5) and solo blocks (7). 

Tampa matches up against Lynn on October 17.

Washburn University sits at No. 2 with a record of 17-1 and a five-match winning streak.

Junior libero and defensive specialist Taylor Rottinghaus is holding the top spot on the team for digs (237) and has led the team in digs for the past two matches. 

The Ichabods will play against Central Missouri on October 16. 

The Barry women’s team haven’t moved from last week, and claimed the No. 3 spot with a record of 13-1 and a two-match winning streak.

Sophomore outside hitter McKayla Theleus has held the second spot for kills two weeks in a row and doubled down during the team's match against Florida Tech, and claimed second place in both kills (11) and digs (9). 

The Buccaneers will play on October 17 against Florida Southern College. 

Central Oklahoma is No. 4 with a record of 18-2.

Junior libero and defensive specialist Kaitlyn Parrot racked up a total of 31 digs, earning a new season high in her last match. Parrot also holds the top spot on the team in digs (387). 

Central Oklahoma will play again on October 17 against Fort Hays State. 

Nebraska Kearney is at No. 5 with a record of 18-2.

Graduate student setter Peyton Neff is holding the second-place spot on the team for digs (153) and held the top spot in digs during the team’s last match against Washburn.

The Lopers will be seen again against Arkansas Fort Smith on October 16.

Bolded teams have moved positions higher or lower from week-to-week.

25. Minnesota State 15-2, 22

24. Central Missouri 14-3, 24

23. Grand Valley State 12-3, 21

22. Northern State 13-4, 23

21. Alaska-Fairbanks 14-3, 18

20. Wingate 17-1, 19

19. Fresno Pacific 15-0, Received Votes

18. Western Washington 13-2, 20

17. Minnesota Duluth 14-2, 13

16. West Florida 15-3, 16

15. Southwest Minnesota State 12-4, 17

14. Ferris State 13-4, 15

13. West Texas A&M 13-4, 14

12. MSU Denver 13-3, 12

11. St. Cloud State 13-4, 10

10. Concordia-St. Paul 12-4, 8

9. Simon Fraser 12-2, 7

8. Lynn 15-2, 6

7. Wayne State (Neb.) 15-3, 11

6. Point Loma 14-2, 5

5. Nebraska-Kearney 18-2, 2

4. Central Oklahoma 18-2, 4

3. Barry 13-1, 3

2. Washburn 17-1, 9

1. Tampa 14-0, 1

Thank you for reading Female Athlete News. Lily Dorf is a student-intern at Penn State University.