Oct. 3, 2001
Bowling Green, Ky. - The Western Kentucky Volleyball team is ranked fourth in the first NCAA South Region Poll of the season.
It is the fifth straight time the Lady Toppers have found themselves in the top-10 poll. WKU was ranked in each of the four surveys last season, topping out at fifth, making this the highest regional ranking in school history. Western also appeared in the first two South Region rankings in 1998, peaking at No. 5.
"We are very excited to be thought of so highly on a national level," said Lady Topper head coach Travis Hudson. "Playing 10 of our first 11 matches on the road, and getting off to such a strong start in conference play, really says a lot about the character of our team."
Western is the highest ranked Sun Belt Conference team in the initial regional poll. Southeastern Conference powerhouse Florida leads a group of three SEC schools at the top of the rankings. South Carolina ranks second while Arkansas came in at No. 3. Louisiana-Lafayatte is the other SBC school in the poll, rated ninth.
The South Region is comprised of teams from the Sun Belt, SEC, Atlantic Sun and Southern Conferences. The rankings are conducted on a bi-weekly basis by the members of the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Committee.
Western (9-4 / 3-0 SBC East) return to action Friday at 7 p.m. (CDT) to host defending Sun Belt Champion Arkansas-Little Rock. The Lady Toppers will also host Arkansas State in a 1 p.m. match on Saturday.
NCAA South Region Rankings - Oct. 3 1. Florida 2. South Carolina 3. Arkansas 4. WESTERN KENTUCKY 5. Kentucky 6. Louisiana State 7. Alabama 8. East Tennessee State 9. Louisiana-Lafayette 10. College of Charleston- WKU -
