First half of Pac-12 volleyball wraps up
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Pac-12 volleyball’s two top teams, and two of the top three teams in the country, are in the midst of historic runs. STANFORD, the No. 1 team in the nation, is 18-0, its best start to a season since 1994. Meanwhile, WASHINGTON, which is ranked No. 3 in the country and is tied for the longest active win streak in NCAA Division I volleyball this season, is 19-0 for its best start since 2005 ... Seven teams remain in the AVCA Coaches top 25 poll. After the Cardinal and Huskies, OREGON is at No. 11, followed by No. 15 ARIZONA, No. 17 UCLA, No. 18 ARIZONA STATE and No. 19 USC. The seven ranked teams ties for the most of any conference in the country. COLORADO, who took the Cardinal to five sets over the weekend, is receiving votes ... It has been a competitive season so far. As the first half of league play wraps up, 10 of the league’s 12 teams have a .500 or better overall record. The strength of the Pac-12 is also reflected in the current RPI, as all 12 teams have a rating of 75 or better, including half the league appearing in the top 15. Additionally, 10 Conference teams are in the top 50 ... The Bruins took home two of three weekly accolades, with Karsta Lowe claiming her fourth Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honor. She continues to lead the nation in kills and points per set. Teammate Reily Buechler was voted the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week ... STANFORD’s Madi Bugg was tabbed the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, posting back-to-back double-doubles, including back-to-back 50-plus-assist outings ... One of the more intriguing matchups this weekend on the Pac-12 Networks will pit two of the top offenses in the nation when No. 17 UCLA travels to No. 1 Stanford. The Bruins are the nation’s leader in kills and assists per set, with Lowe leading the way, along with setter Julie Consani, who leads the country in assists per set. But the Cardinal is the second-most efficient hitting team in the country, also ranking seventh in kills and assists per set. Additionally, Stanford’s defense has been solid, ranking in the top 25 in blocks per set.
UPCOMING PAC-12 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Oct. 22
Arizona at Oregon *, 7:30 p.m. PT (P12N)
USC at California *, 7:30 p.m. PT (P12N)
Friday, Oct. 24
Arizona State at Oregon *, 4 p.m. PT (P12N)
UCLA at Stanford *, 6 p.m. PT (P12N)
Colorado at Washington State *, 7 p.m. PT
Utah at Washington *, 8 p.m. PT (P12N)
Arizona at Oregon State *, 8 p.m. PT (P12N)
Saturday, Oct. 25
Arizona State at Oregon State *, 7 p.m. PT
Sunday, Oct. 26
Utah at Washington State *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)
Colorado at Washington *, 1 p.m. PT (P12N)
UCLA at California *, 3 p.m. PT (P12N)
USC at Stanford *, 5 p.m. PT (P12N)