Oct. 12, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M volleyball team, fresh off a 3-1 road victory against No. 17 Baylor, broke into the AVCA Top 25 Poll today, coming in at No. 22, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced.
The No. 22 ranking marks A&M's first appearance in the Top 25 since the Aggies made a one-week appearance at No. 25 on Sept. 10, 2007. The No. 22 ranking also is the program's highest showing since being ranked No. 20 on Sept. 19, 2005.
A&M, which has been on the cusp of breaking into the top 25 and last week was listed 26th, improved to 12-3 overall and 5-2 in the Big 12 after going 2-0 last week. A&M began the week by sweeping Kansas State in College Station. The ensuing win against the Bears marked the Aggies' second victory over a top 25 team this season. A&M knocked off then-No. 6 Nebraska on Sept. 23 and is currently tied with the Huskers for fourth place in the league standings.
A&M has an opportunity to record its second consecutive victory against a ranked opponent on the road Wednesday when the Aggies take on No. 13 Iowa State in Ames. First serve against the Cyclones is 6:30 p.m. at Hilton Coliseum.
The Cyclones are 14-3 overall and tied with Baylor for second place in the Big 12 with a 6-2 conference record. ISU, 5-0 in home matches, has won five consecutive matches since getting swept at then-No. 24 Baylor on Sept. 23.
Five teams represent the Big 12 in this week's Top 25 Poll: No. 2 Texas, No. 7 Nebraska, No. 13 Iowa State, No. 19 Baylor and No. 22 Texas A&M.
Penn State continues to hold down the No. 1 spot. Hawaii, Washington, and Stanford follow Texas to round out the top five.