NCAA Power Poll Week 1: Top 10

Week 1 did not disappoint fans of NCAA Volleyball with marquee matchups to make even the greatest couch potato content for days.  Upsets, near upsets, and new programs making statements, it was already lighting up chat boards like Xmas trees around tourney time.  Rivalries don't exist in college volleyball, you say? Hogwash, we had Nebraska fans claiming Texas as an average team at best on Saturday afternoon and then celebrating them Sunday (partly because they were so happy they had just survived a Labor Day Weekend shattering upset themselves) because they had just whipped the hated Badgers in Wisconsin.  Life isn't bad if you are a Nebraska fan right now, it really isn't.  Then you have those Horns 6-0 (sets that is) on the road vs. ranked teams as they "work some lineup things out" and boy has the rest of the NCAA missed them being dominant for a year (more on that in another article) so college volleyball is off and running and the blue bloods look blue as ever so here is our Power Poll (and brief justification) after week 1 (barring no upsets tonight).

​

1. Nebraska: Great teams figure it out when they don't play their best and the rest of the NCAA should be concerned because they responded to another major ? that I had.  What happens when DBK makes one of her "spur of the moment lineup changes with one of the established vets on that roster.  How do the other Jrs react to that?"  Well America saw it first hand yesterday they overcame an 0-2 hole and came back to defeat Kentucky playing some very impressive volleyball.  There was zero head hanging ever in that match even when they were about to go down 0-2.  They just stayed calm and came back.  They are all mentally into this thing and that is scary for everyone else with all that talent.
2. Texas: Yes, Texas, a sweep of Wisconsin is never easy, and Texas has new pieces they are working in, also, very talented new pieces, and man, the Freshman class is so good.  There is a different leadership and connection with this year's squad, and that is going to make a ton of difference in so many ways.
3. Arizona State: They started the season with a great rank, and you go to PA and knock off the Champs, you move up (now they have to beat Pitt tonight to prove it), but that was, as ASU said on their socials, "a signature win," and it truly was.  Huge for them, confidence, RPI, and resume-wise.  
4. Louisville: The Cards were the only team in the Top 10 that really didn't play ranked teams in the opening weekend, which is a change up as I believe they had the toughest non-con in the country last year.  They do have the ACC/SEC Challenge upcoming vs. Texas very soon, however!
5. Kentucky: Heartbreaking at least for this long-time Skinner fan just simply because I know this program has never truly been healthy or without a transfer since the Natty year of 2020.  Give Nebraska credit, but Kentcucky went from so so good up in the 3rd and late in the 4th and then multiple service errors and errors that just can't be made by a Final Four team came out of nowhere.  So are they they team that nearly swept the #1 team in the country or ..... we will see as they head to State College to face.....
6. Penn State: The Champs got knocked off by ASU in Pittsburgh on Sunday night in a marathon 4th set.  Errors and mised chances cost the Lions and ASU took advantage.  This is a new PSU team obviously talented, but new like many in the country they are figuring things out vs difficult teams.  They turn around tonight for another match before they host Kentucky who we already talked about; they are coming to town with equal talent and the exact same bad taste in their mouth.
7. Texas A+M: We moved the Aggies up after an impressive opening week.  Somehow a "sneaky team" nationally they are as veteran as the Huskers and also have a talented Freshman class on campus.  Get to know them because they will be here all season.
8. SMU: Knocks off in-state rival Baylor to begin the year in a tough 5 setter as they get used to a new lineup as well and their new setter settled in just fine putiing up monster numbers in her debut.  The Mustangs have a tough non-conference ahead of them to see exactly where they stand heading into ACC play.
9. Wisconsin: Still early the Badgers took a disapointing 3-set sweep at home to Texas and it wasn't close.  It's only one match, but not the mojo the revampe Badgers wanted to get rolling.
10. Pitt: Tough start in Lincoln, but you played a loaded Nebraska squad and then an amazing 5 set match before coming home this weekend with TCU W and now ASU tonight.  Same story for the Panthers, talent, but new pieces that just need to put it together and start playing great Pitt volley.