Another week another Power 10, here is my top 10 after week 8, and it was yet another headache.
1. Pitt (Prev. 1)
Top 5️⃣ Win Vibes x 🎥
— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball)
Despite the committee going with Nebraska at 1, I'm keeping Pitt at the top.
I like to use the eye test a little bit more and I think the Panthers are dominating — they just swept Stanford with an elite blocking performance on top of all their other strengths.
2. Nebraska (Prev. 2)
Nebraska just feels like it is in a different category with Pitt, too. It's like these two then everyone else. The Cornhuskers picked up two sweeps last week and have secured the most top-25 wins in the country with seven.
3. Penn State (Prev. 3)
Crazyyy Dig 😱 x 🎥B1G/
— NCAA Women's Volleyball (@NCAAVolleyball)
The Nittany Lions stay in the top three after an impressive sweep over Minnesota. Outside hitter Jess Mruzik was again outstanding with 18 kills on .325 hitting.
4. Louisville (Prev. 4)
Louisville rounds out the top four with a big week on the horizon. Having not faced a ranked opponent since Oct. 6, the Cards have a double whammy with Pitt on Friday and SMU on Sunday.
5. Stanford (Prev. 5)
It was a tough decision between Stanford and Creighton for the fifth spot, but I ended up keeping the Cardinal after their split week. They looked dominant in their sweep over SMU and then they were swept by Pitt.
Penn State wasn't moved for getting swept by Pitt at the time, so I'm doing the same solid for Stanford.
6. Creighton (Prev. 6)
Creighton's still cruising through the Big East with five straight sweeps, and I see no need to move the Bluejays.
7. Texas (Prev. 7)
Texas stays at seven — again, this team keeps looking better and better. The Longhorns swept Arkansas and beat Georgia in four sets.
8. Kansas (Prev. 8)
Kansas is another team holding down its spot, still just one loss on the year. However, the Jayhawks need to pick up more top-ranked wins.
They have their first ranked matchup in over a month against Utah this week, so stay tuned for that.
9. Wisconsin (Prev. NR)
The Badgers went OFF in set two with an 11-4 run and 15 point lead 🔥 x
— Big Ten Volleyball (@B1GVolleyball)
And for the last two spots, I wish I could hand out a three-way tie to Wisconsin, SMU and Purdue.
SMU has the strongest wins, but also the worst losses of the three. I had to balance the big wins and losses, and Purdue and Wisconsin are lacking in the top-ranked wins department. Yet, the Badgers looked impressive with a huge sweep over Oregon and I value ranked wins a lot, so for now, going to order it Wisconsin at No. 9.
10. SMU (Prev. 9)
As mentioned, the Mustangs do have the biggest wins among the trio, but they move down a spot to No. 10 with the loss to Stanford.
Purdue's just barely on the outside looking in until it picks up more ranked wins. Eye test alone, I know Purdue is an incredible team, but it has a big matchup against Wisconsin this week and many more opportunities to come.
