Illinois Wesleyan University’s women’s volleyball team has achieved its highest national ranking in program history, reaching number four in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll. The new ranking, released Tuesday, moves the Titans up two spots from the previous week.
The team’s ascent follows a series of notable victories. Last Wednesday, Illinois Wesleyan defeated Carroll University in four sets to secure the outright College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) regular-season championship for a second consecutive year. Over the weekend, the Titans recorded wins against two top-five nationally ranked opponents: a sweep over then-number three Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Friday and a four-set win over then-number five Juniata on Saturday. These results bring Illinois Wesleyan’s total to five victories against nationally ranked teams this season.
La Verne University holds the top spot in the AVCA poll with 68 first-place votes. East Texas Baptist is ranked second and received 18 first-place votes; both remain unbeaten in Division III play this season. Wisconsin-Eau Claire ranks third, followed by Illinois Wesleyan and Wisconsin-Oshkosh to complete the top five.
“IWU beat Carroll last Wednesday in four sets to claim the outright College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) regular-season title for the second consecutive year, then earned a pair of wins over top-five opponents over the weekend,” according to the release. “IWU beat then-#3 Wisconsin-Oshkosh on a sweep on Friday before Saturday’s four-set victory over then-#5 Juniata. The Titans now have five wins over nationally ranked opponents this season.”
