Illinois dropped two spots in this week's AVCA poll, to No. 16
The Illini dropped two spots, to No. 16, in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Top 25 [2] poll. The weekly rankings were released Monday.
Illinois (4-4) went 1-2 last weekend in the Illini Classic, but each defeat came against an opponent ranked among the top six. The Illini fell in four sets to then-No. 6 Washington and extended then-No. 2 Texas to five sets before losing.
Washington (6-0) gained ground this week to No. 3. Meanwhile, Texas (5-2) fell to No. 6 after going 1-1 in the Illini Classic, including a 3-0 loss to Arizona State.
The Sun Devils (8-1) entered the rankings Monday for the first time this season at No. 18. Illinois handed ASU its lone defeat.
The Illini are one of eight Big Ten teams in the current Top 25, joined by No. 1 Penn State, No. 9 Minnesota, No. 10 Michigan, No. 12 Nebraska, No. 13 Ohio State, No. 14 Michigan State and No. 21 Purdue.
Illinois' next opponent, North Carolina, moved up three spots to No. 15 after improving to 9-0.