Tampa, Nebraska-Kearney, and Barry women’s volleyball move up one spot each in latest DII poll: AVCA

Gaia Riedmüller (Barry), Ana Rivera (Tampa), and Ellie Spang (Nebraska-Kearney) have contributed to their team’s overall success this Fall.

The fight for the highest position in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II women’s rankings is firing up.

The top five teams have moved around, once again, proving that each team is getting better from week to week. The AVCA DII week five poll has Tampa on top for the first time in the 2025 campaign.

Tampa are undefeated.

Junior defensive specialist and libero Ana Rivera is a big reason why. Rivera reached her season high in digs on October 4 with 34 against Nova Southeastern.

She currently holds the team’s top spot with digs (154) and digs per set (3.76).

Tampa will take on Eckerd College on October 10. 

Nebraska Kearney, also undefeated, have a record of 17-0.

The Lopers' junior defensive specialist and libero Ellie Spang has topped the leaderboard in digs during their last three matches. Her season high was 27 against Missouri Western State. 

Nebraska Kearney’s next match is on October 7 against Fort Hays State.

Barry, which are also undefeated, is at No. 3 with a record of 11-0.

The Buccaneers' senior defensive specialist Gaia Riedmüller led the team last season in digs (363) and is also leading the team in digs (122) this season. Her season high is 26 during the team's match against Lewis.

Barry will go head-to-head with Palm Beach Atlantic University on October 7. 

Coming in at No. 4 is Central Oklahoma with a record of 17-1.

One of the Bronchos to watch is junior defensive specialist and libero Kaitlyn Parrott. Parrot has topped the leaderboard in digs during the team's last four matches. Parrott also leads the team in digs (328).

The Bronchos compete again October 10 against Northwest Missouri State.

Finally, at No. 5 is Point Loma Nazarene with a current record of 13-2.

Point Loma’s senior libero Macy Reynolds has secured the most digs in the squad’s last four matches. As a sophomore, Reynolds led the team and took third in the PacWest Conference in digs with 387 during the 2023 season. 

Point Loma will be seen again as they take on Westmont College on October 11.

Bolded teams have moved ranks higher or lower from week to week.

25. Findlay 10-2, 21

24. Central Missouri 11-3, Received Votes

23. Northern State 11-4, 24

22. Minnesota State-Mankato 14-1, Received Votes

21. Grand Valley State 10-3, 18

20. Western Washington 11-2, 19

19. Wingate 14-1, 20

18. Alaska-Fairbanks 14-1, 23

17. Southwest Minnesota State 10-4, 12

16. West Florida 12-3, 17

15. Ferris State 10-4, 16

14. West Texas A&M 11-4, 14

13. Minnesota Duluth 13-1, 15

12. MSU Denver 10-3 8

11. Wayne State (Neb.) 13-3, 9

10. St. Cloud State 12-3, 13

9. Washburn 14-1, 10

8. Concordia-St. Paul 11-3, 11

7. Simon Fraser 11-1, 7

6. Lynn 13-1, 6

5. Point Loma 13-1, 5

4. Central Oklahoma 17-1, 1

3. Barry 11-0, 4

2. Nebraska-Kearney 17-0, 3

1. Tampa 12-0, 2

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