LEXINGTON, Ky. — The LSU volleyball team returned to the national rankings and checks in at No. 24 Monday as voted upon by the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 poll. It marks the fifth consecutive season under head coach Fran Flory that the Tigers have been ranked in the poll.
The Tigers (13-4, 7-1 SEC) have won six consecutive matches highlighted by a 3-0 sweep against then-No. 6 Florida. It was LSU’s first win over Florida since 1991, a span of 26 matches. It also marked the first time since November 1990 that the Gators were swept in SEC regular season action.
LSU tallied 163 points after receiving votes in each of the first seven editions of the poll. The Tigers join No. 8 Kentucky and No. 9 Florida from the SEC in this week’s poll.
“We’re extremely excited and proud of the hard work that our players have put in to receive this prestigious ranking,” Flory said. “We have to stay focused and work extremely hard in practice this week to prepare for Arkansas and Ole Miss.”
LSU squares off against Arkansas Friday at 7 p.m. inside the Maravich Center. The Tigers will wear pink uniforms as part of their “Dig Pink” match to benefit the Sideout Foundation.
Live video and stats are available in the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net and fans also can follow in-match updates of the four-time defending SEC Western Division champions via www.twitter.com/lsuvolleyball.
AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 Poll
2009 Poll #7: October 12, 2009
Rank, School (First-Place Votes), Total Points, 2009
Record, Last Week
1. Penn State (53), 1493, 18-0, 1
2. Texas (7), 1447, 12-0, 2
3. Hawai’i, 1354, 15-2, 4
4. Washington, 1314, 15-1, 3
5. Stanford, 1260, 11-4, 7
6. Minnesota, 1189, 14-4, 5
7. Nebraska, 1059, 12-4, 9
8. Kentucky, 998, 17-1, 10
9. Florida, 975, 12-3, 6
10. Illinois, 894, 12-3, 12
11. Michigan, 861, 16-3, 8
12. UCLA, 826, 13-5, 16
13. Iowa State, 804, 14-3, 14
14. California, 709, 9-6, 15
15. Oregon, 692, 12-3, 11
16. Southern California, 664, 13-4, 13
17. Florida State, 476, 15-2, 19
18. Arizona, 461, 14-3, 22
19. Baylor, 383, 17-2, 17
20. Saint Louis, 332, 12-5, 21
21. UC Irvine, 247, 14-3, 23
22. Texas A&M, 233, 12-3, NR
23. San Diego, 181, 11-4, 24
24. LSU, 163, 12-4, NR
25. Long Beach State, 124, 11-4, 20
Others Receiving Votes and appearing on two or more ballots: Michigan State 84; Washington State 33; Colorado State 31; Notre Dame 29; St. Mary’s (Ca.) 27; Northern Iowa 18; Dayton 16; Pepperdine 16; Missouri State 14; Oregon State 14; Wichita State 13; UC Santa Barbara 12; Wisconsin 12; Duke 9; Florida International 9; Tennessee 9
Four schools were listed on only one ballot for a total of 15 points.
Dropped Out: Michigan State (18); Washington State (25)
Next poll: October 19, 2009