Pac-12 volleyball ranks league-record nine teams in national poll

Nov 17, 2014

After a historic weekend of play, Pac-12 volleyball landed a league-record nine teams in the top 25 of the AVCA Coaches poll, besting the previous record of eight set just two weeks ago. A total of 10 league teams are receiving votes, including No. 1 STANFORD which is the lone undefeated team in the country and is off to its best start since going 27-0 in 1991. WASHINGTON weighs in at No. 5, while ARIZONA and OREGON are No. 13 and 14, respectively. UCLA comes in at No. 17, COLORADO leapt to No. 19, and ARIZONA STATE is No. 22. UTAH breaks into the poll at No. 23, receiving its first national ranking since 2009, while USC is No. 25 ... This week features five matches televised live on Pac-12 networks, including four matches between two top-25 opponents. The Cardinal hosts two ranked opponents, marking its sixth- and seventh-straight matches against top-25 teams. A total of six matches this week are between two top-25 opponents ... Last week saw tumultuous upsets as the Utes and Colorado both posted big wins over previously undefeated Washington. Arizona snagged an upset over Oregon, and OREGON STATE picked up a win over Arizona State. CALIFORNIA got its first Pac-12 win of the season in an upset over USC. League teams have posted 22 upsets so far, two more than last year’s total of 20 ... The league also saw record-setting performances as USC’s Samantha Bricio set a new Pac-12 record in career service aces and UCLA’s Claire Felix tied a single-match high in hitting percentage ... Weekly honors went to Colorado’s Taylor Simpson for Offensive Player of the Week, Arizona’s Penina Snuka for Defensive Player of the Week, and Utah’s Adora Anae for Freshman of the Week ... Stanford could clinch at least a share of the Pac-12 title if it wins both its matches this weekend, ensuring at least 18 league wins that can only be matched if Washington wins two more.

UPCOMING PAC-12 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 21
#25 USC at Oregon State *, 12 p.m. PT
#22 Arizona State at Washington State *, 7 p.m. PT
#19 Colorado at California *, 7 p.m. PT
#17 UCLA at #14 Oregon *, 8 p.m. PT
#13 Arizona at #5 Washington *, 8 p.m. PT (P12N)
#23 Utah at #1 Stanford *, 8 p.m. PT (P12N)

Saturday, Nov. 22
#19 Colorado at #1 Stanford *, 7 p.m. PT
#17 UCLA at Oregon State *, 7 p.m. PT
#13 Arizona at Washington State *, 7 p.m. PT

Sunday, Nov. 23
#23 Utah at California *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)
#22 Arizona State at #5 Washington *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)
#25 USC at #14 Oregon *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)