Let’s break down my Power 10 after a crazy week 1, including Monday night’s big-time matchups when Minnesota upset Texas and Stanford topped Wisconsin.
1. Nebraska
We already have a new No. 1 one week into the season. Nebraska takes over the top spot with Texas taking its first loss. The Huskers are 3-0 with their best win over Kentucky to open the season. We saw terrific defense as expected, but also great production out of the middle with Bekka Allick and Andi Jackson. Even though there were more offensive errors against TCU, this team is still No. 1 to me right now.
2. Louisville
At No. 2, I have the Cardinals. Overall, I am really impressed with this unit at Louisville and the talent they have. They already look well-oiled so early into the season with a four-set win over Wisconsin and a sweep of Tennessee. I think this team has all the pieces right now.
3. Pittsburgh
Another impressive start to the season here, with the Panthers sweeping Oregon. Rachel Fairbanks recorded two straight double-doubles.
4. Stanford
Stanford is at No. 4 for me. Overall, I am really impressed by the Cardinals after losing a lot of talent from last season. Elia Rubin was a superstar both offensively and defensively. Rubin is like another libero in the back row, and she's filling in a big role really well. Sami Francis was impressive as well, and Kami Miner orchestrated the offense beautifully for two big ranked wins. Those were gutsy performances — and this is a top-four team out of the gates.
SCOREBOARD: Live scores and stats for every match
5. Texas
The Longhorns drop to five for me, though I hate to drop them this low so early in the season. We saw Texas use both setter, Ella Swindle and Averi Carlson. Madi Skinner continues to be unreal, and Emma Halter made it look easy back there. Texas suffered a tough loss to Minnesota in five, but the Gophers are a good team playing with nothing to lose. Texas is still a top-five team and a title contender for sure.
6. Penn State
Penn State is at No. 6 after a 2-0 start and win over Tennessee. Camryn Hannah and Jess Mruzik had 19 kills apiece in the win, while Izzy Starck had a promising debut at setter, tallying 42 assists and 12 digs as Penn State recorded .343 hitting as a team.
WHO WENT WHERE: Top 11 transfers to watch this season
7. Purdue
Purdue is at No. 7 after a 3-0 start. The Boilermakers did not have as strong of a schedule as a lot of top 10 teams to start, but they debuted a really efficient offensive effort. Eva Hudson and Chloe Chicoine are showing out already at the pins, with production out of the middle as well.
8. Florida
The Gators are off to a 3-0 start despite playing through continued injuries. Alexis Stucky is not back yet, and Kennedy Martin exited the game against Colorado State with an injury. But Florida still got the next two wins without them. Isabel Martin has been a great addition, and I can't move them for injury when they still pulled out wins.
9. Minnesota
How about a big welcome to Minnesota. What a weekend for the Gophers. They showed us that, no, this is not the team from last year. Yes, we lost some pieces, but we are better than ever. They came in with a tough schedule as almost everyone considered them underdogs going up against two top-five teams and the No. 1 team in the country — and did they show out.
Minnesota lost to Stanford in five, but the Gophers hit .302 in the match and honestly gave up a lot of points via service errors, which is something that can be cleaned up moving forward. Then, they take down the No. 1 team in the nation in five. Julia Hanson had a double-double with 19 kills. Mckenna Wucherer was great, and Melani Shaffmaster, healthy this season, was just phenomenal. This is a team to be reckoned with.
10. Kentucky
And finally, Kentucky at 10. The Wildcats lost to Nebraska in four sets and then picked up three wins this weekend. It was not as tough of competition with the wins but, Brooklyn DeLeye is already proving to be one of the top arms in the country this season.
Wisconsin drops out
Wisconsin just barely drops out. I almost kept them in at 10, and I of course see so much potential with this team. They went out and scheduled hard to start the year. They have a freshman setter who I know can be a superstar this season. Once they figure it out, I think they can be a top-five team again in no time. But for now, with an 0-3 start, I had to reward teams with results ahead of them.
