Pac-12 volleyball heats up with intriguing matchups this week
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Pac-12 play continues to heat up and after a sensational week last week, no team is safe. COLORADO and UTAH look to gain momentum after pulling off upset wins on the road. Meanwhile, several teams are looking for redemption, including ARIZONA and ARIZONA STATE, who suffered upsets last week, and USC, who is still looking for a big win ... Nine Pac-12 matches will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks this week. Stanford will try to protect its undefeated record, hitting the road for matches at UA and ASU, with the week closing out with a pair of top-25 matchups, including WASHINGTON traveling to OREGON. UW is also undefeated heading into the start of this week ... STANFORD remains the country’s No. 1 team as seven Pac-12 teams continue to appear in the top 25 of AVCA Coaches poll. Washington, who has been in the top five all season, has achieved its highest ranking of the season, to-date, moving up to No. 3. Oregon is just out of the top 10 at No. 11, followed by Arizona, UCLA and Arizona State hovering around the same spot at Nos. 16, No. 17 and No. 18, respectively. USC rounds out the ranked Pac-12 squads, coming in at No. 20. For the second time this season, OREGON STATE is receiving votes ... The first RPI report of the season was released this week by the NCAA, and Pac-12 teams are looking strong. After recording a dominating non-conference season where league teams won 113 matches, including quality wins vs. the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and WCC, and had a winning percentage better than 85 percent, all but one league squad has a 52 or better RPI, with all coming in at no lower that 75. Half of Pac-12 teams have RPIs of 15 or better, with the Cardinal boasting the best RPI in the country and the Ducks recording a No. 5 RPI ... WASHINGTON’s Krista Vansant was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week and teammate Lianna Sybeldon was voted the Defensive Player of the Week. STANFORD’s Merete Lutz, who leads the nation in hitting percentage, was voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Oct. 8
California at #16 Arizona *, 7:30 p.m. PT (P12N)
Friday, Oct. 10
Colorado at #20 USC *, 6 p.m. PT (P12N)
#3 Washington at Oregon State *, 6 p.m. PT (P12N)
Utah at #17 UCLA *, 7 p.m. PT
California at #18 Arizona State *, 7 p.m. PT
Washington State at #11 Oregon *, 7 p.m. PT
#1 Stanford at #16 Arizona *, 8 p.m. PT (P12N)
Saturday, Oct. 11
Utah at #20 USC *, 7 p.m. PT (P12N)
Washington State at Oregon State *, 7 p.m. PT (P12N)
Sunday, Oct. 12
Colorado at #17 UCLA *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)
#1 Stanford at #18 Arizona State *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)
#3 Washington at #11 Oregon *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)