Statesmen Leap into Top Five
Oskaloosa–Riding a lengthy winning streak, the William Penn men’s volleyball team made a huge move nationally as the NAIA released its second top-15 poll Wednesday.
WPU (6-1, 1-0 Heart), which has won six in a row, improved four slots since the last poll and is now #5 with 220 points. The Statesmen have now been ranked for 15 consecutive polls. It is the program’s highest ranking since being #3 on March 9, 2022.
The Heart of America Athletic Conference continues to have six ranked squads, led by Park at #2. Missouri Baptist is next behind WPU at #8, while Grand View is tied at #9 and Mount Mercy is #15. Missouri Valley remains in the receiving votes section as well at #18 unofficially.
The Master’s (Calif.) is still #1 in the country, holding the top spot unanimously with 275 points and all 15 first-place votes. Vanguard (Calif.) is #3, while Ottawa (Ariz.) is #4 to round out the top five.
William Penn travels to Marshall, Mo. Friday to face Missouri Valley in Heart play at 7 p.m.
NAIA Men’s Volleyball Rating #2 — February 21, 2024
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. The Master’s (Calif.) (15)
2. Park (Mo.)
3. Vanguard (Calif.)
4. Ottawa (Ariz.)
5. William Penn
6. Menlo (Calif.)
7. Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.)
8. Missouri Baptist
9. Georgetown (Ky.)
9. Grand View
11. Saint Xavier (Ill.)
12. Jamestown (N.D.)
13. Cornerstone (Mich.)
14. Lawrence Tech (Mich.)
15. Mount Mercy
Receiving Votes: Indiana Tech 71; Westcliff (Calif.) 67; Missouri Valley 54; Campbellsville (Ky.) 40; Lourdes (Ohio) 31; Webber International (Fla.) 14; Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) 3.
