St. Cloud State Volleyball Takes Top Spot in AVCA Coaches Poll for First Time in Program History
8/31/2026 11:03:00 PM | Volleyball
Huskies previous best ranking, No. 2, was held for four consecutive weeks in 2024
LEXINGTON, Ky. – St. Cloud State Volleyball (4-0, 0-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) was ranked No. 1 in the Week One (Aug. 31) American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)-Taraflex Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll, as announced by the organization on Monday, marking the first time in program history that the Huskies have claimed the top spot in the poll. SCSU received 21 of the possible 47 first place votes.
AVCA Poll
Under the direction of Head Coach Chad Braegelmann, SCSU Volleyball has been ranked for 83 consecutive weeks (including 51 weeks in the top 10), dating back to the 2019 season. The Huskies have spent a total of 157 weeks in the AVCA top 20/25 Poll in program history, including 76 weeks in the top 10. The previous best ranking in program history was No. 2, which SCSU held for four consecutive weeks in 2024.
The NSIC and NCAA Central Region were well represented in the poll with six and 14 schools respectively ranked/receiving votes including Wayne State (No. 2), Concordia-St. Paul (No. 3), Washburn (No. 6), Nebraska Kearney (No. 8) and Southwest Minnesota State (No. 10) who were all among the top 10.
The Huskies opened the season with a perfect 4-0 weekend at the UP North Tournament in Marquette, Michigan, with three sweeps and one five-set victory. It was the first time since 2023 that SCSU began a season 4-0. Additionally, senior outside hitter Shelby Kimm (North Liberty, Iowa) and junior libero Laurin Hamann (Manitowoc, Wis.) were named to the All-Tournament Team for their efforts.
This weekend SCSU will head south to Miami Shores, Florida for the Barry Invitational where they will play four matches across three days. The Huskies will match up against Lubbock Christian (Texas) (3-1, 0-0 Lone Star Conference) on Sept. 3, Converse (S.C.) (1-2, 0-0 Conference Carolinas) and the host school, No. 13 Barry (Fla.) (1-2, 0-0 Sunshine State Conference) on Sept. 4 and No. 21 Lynn (Fla.) (2-1, 0-0 SSC) on Sept. 5. Links to each coverage option will be available on the St. Cloud State Volleyball match day central and schedule page.
SCSU in the 2026 AVCA Poll
#5 – Preseason
#1 – Week One
SCSU in the Top Three of the AVCA Poll All-Time
#1 – 2026 Week One
#2 –2024 Week 12
#2 –2024 Week 11
#2 –2024 Week 10
#2 –2024 Week Nine
#3 – 2025 Preseason
#3 – 1996 Week One
#3 – 2024 Week Seven
#3 – 2024 Week Eight
NCAA Central Region Teams in the Week One AVCA Poll
#1 – St. Cloud State*
#2 – Wayne State*
#3 – Concordia-St. Paul*
#6 – Washburn^
#8 – Nebraska Kearney^
#10 – Southwest Minnesota State*
#11 (tie) – Missouri Western^
#15 – Central Oklahoma^
#25 (tie) – Central Missouri^
RV – Oklahoma Baptist+
RV – Minnesota Duluth*
RV – Emporia State^
RV – Minnesota State*
RV – Harding+
*NSIC Team
^Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Team
+Great American Conference (GAC) Team
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Volleyball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
