The NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Committee has released the first regional rankings of the season and Nebraska Wesleyan University is ranked No. 2 in the Central Region.

Nebraska Wesleyan, which is ranked No. 20 in this week’s AVCA/DIII Coaches Poll, is ranked only behind Washington University (Mo.) in the Central Region.  Regional rankings are based on overall NCAA DIII record, in-region record, strength of schedule, and opponents’ strength of schedule. 

NWU is 10-2 in DIII play this season.  One of NWU’s losses was a 3-2 decision to No. 1 ranked and 27-0 Wisconsin-Oshkosh where they lost 18-16 in the fifth set.  The other loss was to St. Mary’s (Minn), which is ranked fourth in the Central Region.  NWU came back to defeat St. Mary’s, 3-0, one week later.  

The No. 2 ranking in the region is believed to be the highest-ever regional ranking for Nebraska Wesleyan volleyball.  There will be two more regional polls released before selection of the National Tournament.

The Prairie Wolves are attempting to qualify for the NCAA III Postseason Tournament for the sixth straight season.  The official announcement of the NCAA III Tournament field will be Monday, Nov. 9 at 10 a.m.