On September 2, Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) volleyball team achieved a significant milestone by moving up five positions to secure the No. 11 spot in the latest NAIA coaches top-25 rankings. This advancement reflects the team's impressive performance as they currently hold an 8-1 record in the early stages of the season.
The Tigers' only setback this season occurred on August 21, when they faced Corban University from Oregon, losing in four sets during a match held in North Sioux City. Corban is currently ranked No. 4 in the NAIA poll, indicating the competitiveness of the match. Despite this loss, DWU has shown resilience and skill, which has contributed to their rise in the rankings.
As of this week, Eastern Oregon has claimed the top position in the NAIA rankings with an undefeated record of 11-0. Following them are Northwestern at No. 2 with a 6-1 record and Concordia University in third place. The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) is well represented in the rankings, with DWU at No. 11, Midland at No. 16, and Morningside at No. 20, totaling five teams from the conference in the top 20.
This weekend, the Tigers will participate in the College of Saint Mary Labor Day Classic in Omaha, Nebraska, where they are scheduled to play three matches. Their first match is against Saint Mary (Kan.) at 10 a.m. on Friday, followed by a matchup against Saint Francis (Ind.) at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Later that day, they will face Ottawa (Kan.) at 3 p.m., providing an opportunity to further improve their record and potentially enhance their ranking.
Looking ahead, Dakota Wesleyan's GPAC opener and home opener is set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, when they will host Dordt at the Christen Family Athletic Center. This match will be crucial as the Tigers aim to establish themselves in the conference and continue their successful season.
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