Tuesday, August 13, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington and Central Washington are ranked 17th and 24th in the inaugural American Volleyball Coaches Association national poll of the 2013 season.

The Vikings finished the 2012 season ranked 15th and are coming off a 24-4 season and a GNAC conference championship, their seventh in 12 seasons in the GNAC.

Central Washington won 21 matches (against eight losses) last season, earning its first 20-win season since winning 23 matches in 2005.  The Wildcats were not ranked in last season's final poll, but were among "others receiving votes" and were 31st overall.

Concordia-St. Paul is the No. 1 ranked team.  It received 32 of 48 first-place votes.  Defending West Region champion BYU-Hawaii is the top-ranked West Region team in the poll.  The Seasiders received two first-place votes and are ranked fifth.

Fresno Pacific is ranked 12th and Cal State San Bernardino is ranked 14th.  UC San Diego earned at No. 22 ranking.