71
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
Hawaii setter Norene Iosia (10) serves during the final game of the 2016 Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational women’s college volleyball tournament on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu.
Hawaii’s national ranking took a hit on Monday as the Rainbow Wahine (1-2) dropped from preseason No. 6 to 15th in the AVCA Coaches Top 25.
The first regular-season poll has defending national champion Nebraska (2-0) the unanimous No. 1, the Huskers receiving all 64 first-place votes. Wisconsin (3-0), which won the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational, moved up two spots from No. 2 to No. 4, and Texas (1-1) dropped a spot from No. 2 to No. 3.
Kansas (3-0) went up one place to No. 4 with Washington up two spots to No. 5.
Rounding out the top 10 were Minnesota (2-0), Florida (1-1), UCLA (3-0), Stanford (1-1) and BYU (3-0).
The biggest drop was for USC (0-3). The Women of Troy fell from a tie at No. 7 to out of the Top 25, receiving votes that placed them at 31st.
Kansas State (2-1), which upset Hawaii on Saturday, received 148 points, putting the Wildcats at No. 26. Arizona (0-3), beaten by the Wahine in five on Sunday, received 10 points and are at 39th.
Hawaii returns to the Stan Sheriff Center Thursday, facing Missouri State in the second match of the Hawaiian Airlines Classic. Also in the field are UCLA and Pacific.
Phew, the Wahine avoided the fate of the USC Trojans by their gutsy win over the Arizona Wildcats. 15th, not so bad place to start their climb back up.
As expected.
They’re probably deserving of 15th assuming Taylor gets back. Without her, no way they belong in top 25.