LEXINGTON, Ky. — After a five-set victory at Minnesota State and a three-set loss to then No. 5-ranked Concordia-St. Paul, the Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team fell one spot to No. 8 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Poll released on Monday afternoon.

The Mustangs are one of five NSIC schools ranked in the AVCA Top 25 with Wayne State leading the way at the No. 1 spot, carrying 42 of 47 first place votes. Concordia-St. Paul moved up two spots to No. 3, while St. Cloud State also jumped a pair of spots to No. 4, and Minnesota Duluth jumped a spot to No. 9.

SMSU have started the season 11-1 for the second consecutive season. They have now been ranked in the Top 25 for 205 of the last 206 rankings, dating back to Sept. 5, 2006.

Their 11 victories to open the season are tied for the second most wins to begin a season in program history, tying last year’s squad for second most all-time. The record is held by the 2017 team, who started the season 16-0.

The Mustangs remain on the road, playing at Minnesota Crookston on Sept. 23, at 6 p.m., before a match-up at Bemidji State at 1 p.m., on Sept. 24.