Talk about perfect timing.
On the same day his wife returned from the hospital after giving birth to the couple's second child, UAA women's basketball head coach Ryan McCarthy learned his team was No. 1 in the country.
"I got a text message from my brother," said McCarthy, a third-year head coach who has led UAA to a 23-1 record this season. "I didn't even think to look at the polls today."
UAA received 15 of 30 first place votes and 727 total points to narrowly edge former No. 1 Lewis (Illinois) in the USA Today Division II women's coaches poll, which was released on Tuesday. Lewis, which got 14 first-place votes, fell one spot after dropping its first game of the season last week to No. 11 Drury.
The Seawolves -- who remained in first place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a win over UAF on Saturday -- were ranked No. 3 in last week's poll. They also jumped past former No. 2 Fort Hays State, which fell to No. 5 after a loss to No. 7 Pittsburg State.
The ranking marks the second time the Seawolves have reached the top spot in the poll. UAA was also ranked No. 1 for four weeks between Jan. 27 and Feb. 17 of 2009.
"To be recognized at any time in the year as the best in the country is pretty unique," McCarthy said.
McCarthy said it's an honor to be recognized as the nation's team to beat.
"I think it's a big deal," he said. "We definitely don't make it a focus, but it's nice to see the ladies' hard work has paid off."
UAA is about to embark on a crucial GNAC road trip, with games on Thursday at fourth-place Simon Fraser and on Saturday against third-place Western Washington.
Although McCarthy said his team is rightly proud of its ranking in the national polls, the Seawolves can't afford to get complacent against key conference rivals.
"The biggest thing is to just come in with a lot of confidence and energy," he said.
As for the newest addition to Team McCarthy, Ryan said daughter Aurora -- who was born on Sunday -- weighed eight pounds, one ounce and measured 21 inches long. The McCarthys also have a 4-year-old son, Donovan.
McCarthy said the news of UAA's No. 1 ranking was an exciting way to cap a very memorable few days.
"It's been a wild week for sure," he said.
USA Today Division II women's basketball poll (first place votes in parentheses)
1. UAA (15), 23-1
2. Lewis (14), 24-1
3. Limestone (1), 24-1
4. West Texas A&M, 20-1
5. Fort Hays State, 22-2