Jackets Climb to Top of NCAA Volleyball Poll (10/11/06)

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings volleyball team is ranked first in this week’s NCAA Southwest Region poll released by the NCAA Volleyball Committee on Wednesday.  It is the first time a Yellowjacket volleyball team has been ranked No. 1 in the region at any point of the season.

The top eight teams in the final NCAA Regional poll will receive invitations to the NCAA Tournament.  The Yellowjackets can also earn their first-ever trip to the NCAA Tourney by winning the Heartland Conference Tournament which they will host in Billings on November 3 and 4.

The Yellowjackets are 16-4 overall and 10-1 against Southwest Region teams.  They won two matches at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio last weekend.  MSU Billings hosts St. Edward’s University this Friday and Saturday in two important Heartland Conference matches.  MSU Billings is in first place in the conference at 4-0.  St. Ed’s is close behind with a 4-1 conference mark.  Friday’s match begins at 7:00 p.m., and Saturday’s starts at 2:00 p.m.

NCAA Southwest Region
1. Montana State-Billings (16-4)
2. West Texas A&M (20-3)
3. Abilene Christian (13-8)
4. Fort Lewis (18-4)
5. Nebraska-Kearney (18-5)
6. Western New Mexico (20-4)
7. Metropolitan State (12-8)
8. Texas Woman’s University (18-8)
9. Regis (12-10)
10. Colorado-Colorado Springs (11-10)