Defending National Champions Hold Firm at No. 1
- Danny Amezquita
- Apr 16
- 5 min read
The Master’s stay at the top NAIA Volley Report Power rankings. The Mustangs sit at 4-0 this year with wins over Saint Xavier, Long Island, and Concordia-Irvine twice.
William Penn (Iowa), Ottawa-Arizona, and Grand View (Iowa) crack into the top-ten while Benedictine Mesa, Missouri Baptist, and Georgetown (Ky.) dropped off. Campbellsville (Ky.) makes the biggest jump to 4th-ranked right behind Park (Mo.), who was 9th in our preseason poll.
Photo Credit: SixFive Sports
1. The Master’s Mustangs - Great Southwest Athletic Conference
Next Four:
Feb. 20 & 21 NCAA Division-II Vanguard (Calif.)
Feb. 26 Westcliff (Calif.)
Feb. 27 Soka (Calif.) * CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: The Mustangs picked up where they left off, opening the season 4–0 and extending their undefeated streak dating back to last year. Isaac Seltzer leads the way at the net with 4.14 kps, while Matthew Hamm directs the offense at 10.0 aps. Defensively, Preston Schmidt anchors the back row, averaging 2.79 dps.
Photo Credit: Oscar Bonilla/SXU Student
2. Saint Xavier Cougars - Chicagoland Athletic Conference
Next Four:
Feb. 10 NCAA Division-II Roosevelt
Feb.13 No. 4 Georgetown (Ky.)
Feb. 17 CCSJ * CONF. GAME
Feb. 21 Saint Ambrose * CONF. GAME & RV Cornerstone
Quick Notes: The national runners-up are 5–2, with losses coming to the reigning national champions and NCAA Division II Concordia-Irvine. Saint Xavier has swept its other opponents, including NCAA Division II Vanguard (Calif.), William Penn (Iowa), St. Thomas (Fla.), and Lawrence Tech (Mich.).
Photo Credit: Park Athletics
3. Park Pirates - Heart of America
Next Four:
Feb. 10 Graceland * CONF. GAME
Feb. 12 Culver-Stockton * CONF. GAME
Feb. 14 Missouri Valley * CONF. GAME
Feb. 17 Ottawa (KS) * CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: Park made one of the largest moves in this week’s rankings, climbing from ninth to third. The Pirates are 8–0 on the season, sweeping four of their eight opponents, with notable wins over NCAA Division II Missouri S&T and Rockhurst. Park heads out on the road for three matches, highlighted by a matchup with Missouri Valley. The Pirates hold a 23–5 all-time edge in the series. At the net, Adrian Figueroa leads the attack at 4.30 kps, while Jovan Nikolic averages 10.10 aps and is tied with Rodrigo Macedo for the team lead at 1.65 dps.
Photo Credit: Campbellsville Athletics
4. Campbellsville Tigers - Mid South Conference
Next Four:
Feb. 13 Bethel (IN)
Feb. 14 Governors State
Feb. 20 Indiana East
Feb. 24 Brescia (Ky.) * CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: The Tigers are off to their best start since 2020, opening the season 10–0 with notable wins over St. Thomas (Fla.), Missouri Baptist, and Benedictine Mesa.Setter Alonzo Vega has been a key factor, earning NAIA Volley Report Setter of the Week honors twice and three consecutive Mid-South Conference Setter of the Week awards. Denzel Madrigal was also recognized as NAIA Hitter of the Week. Campbellsville opens a three-match homestand against Bethel (Ind.), Governors State, and Indiana East. Bethel enters the matchup unbeaten and off to a historic start of its own, while Governors State brings momentum from several notable wins. The Tigers close the homestand against Indiana East on Feb. 20 at Gosser Gymnasium.
Photo Credit: Bo Horsten/BowdinePhotography
5. Missouri Valley Vikings - Heart of America
Next Four:
Feb. 10 Missouri Baptist * CONF. GAME
Feb. 14 Park * CONF. GAME
Feb. 17 Culver-Stockton * CONF. GAME
Feb. 24 Ottawa (KS) * CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: The Vikings continue to impress under first-year head coach Bilitardo, opening the season 7–0. Missouri Valley begins conference play with challenging matchups against Missouri Baptist and Park (Mo.). The Vikings have dropped just five sets on the season. Offensively, Luca Hasse leads the way at the net, averaging 3.17 kps.
Photo Credit: LTU Athletics
6. Lawrence Tech Blue Devils - Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
Next Four:
Feb. 10 Rochester Christian * CONF. GAME
Feb. 13 Defiance * CONF. GAME
Feb. 17 Indiana Tech * CONF. GAME
Feb. 20 Lourdes * CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: The Blue Devils are 5–2 on the season, with losses coming only to Saint Xavier and Cornerstone (Mich.). Lawrence Tech continues conference play with its inaugural matchup against Rochester Christian (Mich.), followed by a meeting with Defiance on Feb. 13. Defensively, Pol Cupons leads the Blue Devils, averaging 2.20 dps.
Photo Credit: Breno Ertty/STU Athletics
7. St. Thomas Bobcats - Appalachian Athletic Conference
Next Four:
Feb. 13 Milennia Atlantic
Feb. 19 Truett McConnell * CONF. GAME
Feb. 20 Life (Ga.) * CONF. GAME
Feb. 20 Reinhardt (Ga.) * CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: St. Thomas (Fla.) is 8–3 on the season, with losses to Campbellsville (Ky.), Saint Xavier, and Lawrence Tech. The Bobcats own a marquee 3–1 win over NCAA Division I Lees-McRae. STU has one remaining non-conference match before beginning a three-match road swing against Truett McConnell, Life (Ga.), and Reinhardt (Ga.).
Photo Credit: Kylie Chaney/William Penn Athletics
8. William Penn Statesmen - Heart of America
Next Four:
Feb. 10 Mount Mercy (Iowa) * CONF. GAME
Feb. 13 Morningside * CONF. GAME
Feb. 14 Dordt (Iowa) * CONF. GAME
Feb. 17 Clarke (Iowa) * CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: William Penn (Iowa) moved into the rankings at No. 8, opening the season 3–1 with its only loss coming against Saint Xavier. The Statesmen begin conference play with a three-match road stretch against Mount Mercy (Iowa), Morningside (Iowa), and Dordt (Iowa). William Penn will then return home for its home opener against Clarke, a series in which WPU holds a 10–0 record.
Photo Credit: Joaquin Corrales/OUAZ Athletics
9. Ottawa - Arizona Spirit - Great Southwest Conference
Next Four:
Feb. 19 Westcliff (Calif.)
Feb. 27 Arizona Christian * CONF. GAME
Mar. 6 The Master’s * CONF. GAME
Mar. 7 Hope International* CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: Ottawa-Arizona enters the rankings at 5–1, with its lone loss coming against Missouri Valley. The Spirit own a notable sweep of 14th-ranked Westcliff (Calif.). OUAZ returns to Irvine, Calif., for a rematch with Westcliff before opening GSAC play against Arizona Christian and The Master’s. Offensively, Jack Hubbard leads the Spirit with 3.40 kps, while Maddox Goron directs the Spirit at 10.84 aps
Photo by: Vinny Rita/Cenzo.on.film
10. Mount Mercy Mustangs - Heart of America Athletic Conference
Next Four:
Feb. 10 William Penn (Iowa) * CONF. GAME
Feb. 13 Graceland * CONF. GAME
Feb. 17 Grand View (Iowa) * CONF. GAME
Feb. 20 Park (Mo.) * CONF. GAME
Quick Notes: The Mustangs are 4–0 entering conference play and will host William Penn at the Hennessey Recreation Center. Last season, the Mustangs edged William Penn in both meetings, earning 3–1 and 3–2 victories.
Receiving Votes:
Bethel Pilots, Grand View Vikings, Lourdes Gray Wolves, Missouri Baptist Spartans
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