UAA's sweep of four matches to seize its season-opening SpringHill Suites Invitational last week propelled the Seawolves to their highest ranking in NCAA Division II since 1991.
UAA (4-0) leaped from unranked in the preseason poll to No. 14 in Monday's poll released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
In rocketing into the poll, the Seawolves moved ahead of two teams they defeated in the Invitational. Nebraska Kearney (2-2) dropped to No. 15 from No. 5 and Rockhurst improved to No. 17 from No. 23.
The Seawolves were spearheaded by senior outside hitter Julia Mackey of Fairbanks, who was voted the Invitational's Most Outstanding Player. UAA senior hitter Katelynn Zanders and junior setter Morgan Hooe, both from South High, were also named to the all-tournament team.
UAA of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference faces two more ranked opponents this week in the GNAC/Pac West Crossover Tournament in Ellensburg, Washington. The Seawolves, who play four matches in three days in Ellensburg, on Friday face No. 20 Point Loma and No. 21 BYU-Hawaii.
All four matches the Seawolves play are against West Region opponents, which offers them chances to boost their region ranking.