DWU volleyball climbs to No. 11 in NAIA top-25 rankings

Sep. 2—MITCHELL — The Dakota Wesleyan University volleyball team has moved up five spots in the first NAIA coaches top-25 rankings of the regular season, slotting in at No. 11. The Tigers are 8-1 to start the season and moved up from No. 16 in the preseason poll. DWU's only loss so far this season came to Corban (Ore.) University on Aug. 21 in North Sioux City in four sets. The Warriors are ranked No. 4 in this week's poll. Eastern Oregon has taken over as the No. 1-ranked team in the country with an 11-0 record. Northwestern, at 6-1 on the season, is ranked No. 2, followed by Concordia (Neb.) at No. 3. In addition to No. 11 DWU, Midland is ranked No. 16 and Morningside is ranked 20th, giving the Great Plains Athletic Conference five teams ranked in the top-20. DWU will play three times this weekend at the College of Saint Mary Labor Day Classic in Omaha, Nebraska. The Tigers face Saint Mary (Kan.) at 10 a.m. Friday, followed by Saint Francis (Ind.) at 11 a.m. Saturday and Ottawa (Kan.) at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Tigers' GPAC opener and home opener will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9 hosting Dordt at the Christen Family Athletic Center.