INDIANAPOLIS – Central Oklahoma is ranked eighth in the second NCAA regional rankings announced Wednesday as the Bronchos prepare to play the final week of the regular season.
This week's second regional rankings are the first listed in order of rank. The top eight teams make the regional tournaments next month.
The NCAA Central Region is made up of teams from the MIAA, the Great American Conference and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. In Wednesday's listing, six MIAA programs appear and the other four are from the NSIC. Each of the three conference champions receive an automatic qualification to the regional and five more at-large bids are awarded.
The top eight teams alternate two conferences. There are six teams in the top 10 from the MIAA and four from the NSIC. No GAC team is ranked and one is guaranteed a spot in the eight-team Central Regional.
Nebraska Kearney is first, Wayne State is second, Missouri Western is third, and Concordia St. Paul is fourth. Washburn is fifth, St. Cloud State is sixth, and Emporia State is seventh in front of UCO. Central Missouri and Minnesota State are ninth and 10th behind the Bronchos.
This season, UCO is 25-3 with two games remaining. The Bronchos travel to Emporia State and Washburn this week to wrap up the regular season. The MIAA Volleyball Championship is scheduled for Nov. 20-22 in St. Joseph, Missouri.
The NCAA will release one more rankings next week before the conference tournaments. The Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 24 .
