SMSU Volleyball Finishes 2010 Ranked No. 7 in National Poll

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Southwest Minnesota State volleyball team fell three spots and is  ranked No. 7 in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association  Division II Top 25 Poll released Tuesday. The Mustangs received 583  points in the poll, as voted on by Division II head coaches across the  country.

NSIC foe Concordia University, St. Paul earned the No. 1 spot after receiving all 32 first place votes and a total of 800 points to top the national poll after winning its fourth straight national championship. Five NSIC schools cracked the top-25 poll at seasons end.

The Mustangs were ranked every week during the 2010 season, peaking at No. 2 on Oct. 11, achieving the highest ranking in school history.

This marks the 67th consecutive week that Southwest Minnesota State has  been ranked in the AVCA Coaches' Poll dating back to Sept. 5, 2006.

Southwest Minnesota State finished the 2010 season 27-4 overall and 18-2 in NSIC play finishing second in the conference. SMSU made its seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010, advancing  to the semifinals for the fourth time in school history and first time  since 2008.