As the excitement builds for the upcoming NCAA Division I Volleyball season, the first AVCA poll of the year has been released, giving fans and teams alike a glimpse into the expectations for the 2024 campaign. Let’s dive into the rankings and what they might mean for the season ahead.
The Top Contenders
Texas Takes the Crown: The Longhorns start the season at the top, garnering 46 first-place votes. Their dominant position suggests high expectations following their strong performance last year.
Nebraska Nips at Their Heels: With 15 first-place votes, the Cornhuskers are poised to challenge Texas for the top spot. The gap in total points (1,503 vs. 1,474) indicates a close race at the summit.
Wisconsin Rounds Out the Top Three: The Badgers, while receiving no first-place votes, have secured a solid third place, setting them up as strong contenders.
Notable Observations
Big Ten Dominance: With five teams in the top 25 (Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, and Minnesota), the Big Ten conference shows its volleyball prowess.
Pac-12 Presence: Stanford (5th) leads the Pac-12 representation, with Oregon (10th) and Arizona State (17th) also making strong showings.
SEC Makes Its Mark: Kentucky (9th), Tennessee (15th), Arkansas (19th), and Georgia (25th) represent the SEC in the top 25, showcasing the conference’s depth.
Creighton Flies High: At 12th, Creighton stands out as the highest-ranked non-Power Five conference team, demonstrating their consistent program strength.
Teams to Watch
Keep an eye on teams like BYU (16th) and Dayton (22nd), who could be this year’s giant killers. Also, Georgia Tech (14th) and Arizona State (17th) might be poised for breakout seasons.
Dig Pink: Volleyball's Heart of Gold
Did you know that many of these top-ranked and honorable mention teams have hosted Dig Pink events? This initiative, part of the Side-Out Foundation’s efforts to support breast cancer research and patient services, showcases the volleyball community’s commitment to making a difference beyond the court.
Programs like Penn State, Creighton, & San Diego have been with the Side-Out Foundation from the very beginning. While these teams have all hosted a Dig Pink event in the past: Baylor, Louisville, Minnesota, Texas State, Western Kentucky, SMU, Pepperdine, and Loyola Marymount. And this is just our Division I support.
This widespread participation demonstrates that while these teams fiercely compete on the court, they stand united in their support for important social causes.
What This Means for the Season
While preseason rankings are always speculative, they provide insight into the volleyball landscape. However, with all teams starting at 0-0, the real excitement begins when the first serve is made. Upsets, breakout performances, and the grind of conference play will undoubtedly reshape these rankings as the season progresses.
As volleyball fans, we’re in for an exciting season of high-flying action, dramatic rallies, and the pursuit of championship glory. Let the games begin!
