October 14, 2002
Texas A&M's historic streak of 111 consecutive appearances in the USA Today/AVCA Top 25 Poll came to an end today as the Aggies fell out of the Top 25 for the first time since breaking in at No. 24 on Sept. 26, 1995.
A&M, which held onto a No. 25 ranking last week, toppled to No. 34 after dropping a five-game match to then-unranked Texas in Austin last week. The Longhorns, meanwhile, climbed into the poll at No. 25 this week.
During the Aggies' seven-year stay in the Top 25, A&M reached an all-time high No. 9 ranking in the 1999 final poll after defeating No. 3 Hawaii to reach the NCAA regional finals for the first time in school history. The Aggies first broke the top-10 milestone in 1996, spending four consecutive weeks at No. 10 (Oct. 15-Nov. 5).
A&M reached its second highest final ranking following the 2001 season, coming it at No. 11 after reaching the Elite Eight for the second time. The Aggies began the 2002 season listed No. 17 in the preseason poll and moved up to a season-high No. 16 on Sept. 9 despite losing five starters from last year's 26-6 team.
USC retained the top spot with 59 first-place votes this week, and Hawaii and Florida stayed at second and third, respectively. Nebraska moved up one spot to No. 4, and UC-Santa Barbara rounds out the top 5.
No. 22 Missouri joins Nebraska and Texas as the three representatives of the Big 12 ranked in the Top 25. Kansas is receiving points and is listed 32nd.
The Aggies (11-5, 3-4 Big 12) look to begin their climb back into the Top 25 when A&M plays host to Texas Tech on Wednesday. Match time is 7 p.m. at G. Rollie White Coliseum.
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