Lopers #1 in Central Region Rankings

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney volleyball team is ranked first in the second edition of the NCAA Division II regional rankings.
These rankings determine the 64-team NCAA Tournament field later this month (eight teams from eight regions). National rankings have no bearings on NCAA selection, and this is the first regional rankings where teams are ranked one through eight.
The top eight seeds host regionals the weekend of Dec. 4-6 or Dec. 5-7. The Central consists of the MIAA, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conf. (NSIC) and Great American Conf. (GAC). Conference tourney winners receive automatic bids to the “Big Dance.”
Not only do the Lopers have a 24-3 D2 record (17-3 in-region) but they also have non-con victories over Bentley, Mass. (No. 1 in the East), Missouri-St. Louis (No. 1 Great Lakes), and East Stroudsburg, Pa. (No. 4 Atlantic). The key Central wins have come against Missouri Western (No. 3/1-0), Washburn (No. 5/1-1), Central Oklahoma (No. 8/1-0) and Central Missouri (No. 9/1-0). UNK is 0-2 vs. Emporia State (No. 7).
The Lopers previously hosted regionals in 2019 (won), 2018, 2011, 2007, 2005 (won), 2004 (won), and 1995 (won). 
UNK closes out the regular season at home vs. NW Missouri (Thurs.) and Mo West (Fri.) with the eight-team MIAA Tournament set for Nov. 20-22 in St. Joseph, Mo.
                                                               In-Region          Overall D2 Record
UNK                                   17-3                    24-3
Wayne State                     20-2                    24-3
Missouri Western           18-4                    20-5
Concordia St. Paul          18-3                    22-4
Washburn                        19-3                    22-3
St. Cloud State                18-3                    21-6
Emporia State                 19-3                    20-5
Central Oklahoma          22-3                    25-3 (eighth spot to be GAC tourney winner)
Central Missouri             18-7                    18-7
Minnesota State             19-5                    21-5
Current 1st Place GAC team: Ouachita Baptist, Ark. (24-4)