December 19, 2001
The Texas A&M volleyball team is No. 11 in the final USA Today/AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll released today. It is the Aggies' second highest final ranking in the history of the poll.
"I'm happy being one of the top ranked teams in the country," A&M coach Laurie Corbelli said. "And to be 11th out of 312 teams is a huge and deserving honor. It is a reflection of the commitment and the time that this team put in. This is the most talented team I have ever had, and they were very dedicated."
The Aggies, who went 26-6, advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for only the second time after upsetting then-No. 6 Wisconsin in three games in the regional semifinals. A&M, ranked 15th entering postseason play, was eliminated in the regional finals by eventual national champion and top-ranked Stanford.
"Finishing in the Elite Eight for the second time in three years has been rewarding and satisfying, and it proves that this program continues to compete with the top teams in the nation," Corbelli said.
In the end, four of A&M's six losses were to teams that advanced to the Final Four: two to both Stanford and Nebraska, who fell to the Cardinal in the semifinals and finished No. 3 in the poll. A&M's other two losses were five-game setbacks to Kansas State and Colorado, who ranked 18th and 23rd, respectively, in the final poll.
"When we finished the season and reflected on our losses, we saw that four of our six losses were to teams in the Final Four," Corbelli added. "Then we realized that we went up against the very best teams in the nation and competed well with them."
The 1999 A&M team holds the record for the highest final ranking, placing ninth after advancing to the Elite Eight for the first time. Eight members of the 2001 squad were listed on the 1999 roster, including setter Jenna Moscovic and outside hitter Michelle Cole, who were starters for both teams.