UNK Athletics
Peter Yazvac, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations
Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team is ranked number one in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) preseason Division II coaches’ poll.
The poll is voted upon by head coaches from Division II’s eight regions. The next poll will be released on January 26 and then each Tuesday after that through April 20.
This marks UNK’s 26th week ranked number one and 349th time in the poll. The Lopers went 38-1 last year to finish the year ranked second. Kearney tallied 1,138 points and 17 first place votes. Central Region rival Concordia-St. Paul is second (1,095; two first place) with 2019 national champion Cal State San Bernardino third (1,070; 28 first place).
Other MIAA teams ranked include Washburn (No. 5), Central Missouri (No. 11), and Northwest Missouri State (No. 25).
There will be no NCAA Division II Tournament this season with schools and conferences around the landscape playing volleyball this winter and spring. Some schools and conference are not holding a spring season and that includes the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), home to San Bernardino. The Coyotes have also lost 2019 National Player of the Year Alexis Cardoza to the transfer portal.
UNK’s “2020” season will run from end of February until the end of April. That schedule will be released soon and include roughly 20 dates. The season will feature:
- No MIAA champion crowned (regular season or postseason)
- An MIAA Invitational tournament will be held in April
- Match results will not count on a school’s all-time record
- Match results will not count on towards a head coaches career record
- Match results will not count toward players career stats
- Official stats will be not required for each match
- Only one official needs to be in attendance
- Line judges do not need to be certified
- Video streaming is optional for every match