Amber Aniston • October 29, 2024

AVCA Top 25 Rankings: Nebraska Still Chasing Pittsburgh for the Top Spot

The latest AVCA Top 25 Rankings in women’s volleyball have been released, and there is plenty of movement and excitement as the race to the postseason intensifies. The Pittsburgh Panthers (19-1) remain firmly in the No. 1 spot, claiming 51 first-place votes. Meanwhile, the Nebraska Cornhuskers (20-1), despite a near-perfect record and a dominant Big Ten run, hold steady at No. 2 for the fifth consecutive week, capturing just nine first-place votes.


Pittsburgh Retains No. 1

Pittsburgh continues to lead the national rankings, maintaining their position at the top with an impressive 19-1 record. The Panthers have navigated a tough Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) schedule and have proven their dominance throughout the season, earning the most first-place votes. Their only loss came in a non-conference battle, but their resilience and consistency have made them the team to beat.


The ACC is well-represented in the Top 25, with Louisville (No. 4) and Stanford (No. 5) also making the top five, and SMU, Georgia Tech, and Florida State all finding their way into the rankings.


Nebraska’s Continued Battle

Nebraska remains undefeated in Big Ten Conference play with a 10-0 record and an overall mark of 20-1. However, the Cornhuskers have experienced a decline in first-place votes over the past two weeks, despite not dropping a single match. The team is led by a strong defensive front and powerful outside hitters like Harper Murray and middle blocker Rebekah Allick. Their upcoming matches against top-ranked teams, including a showdown with No. 3 Penn State and a clash with No. 7 Wisconsin, will be pivotal.


The Huskers boast victories over top 10 opponents such as Creighton, Stanford, and Oregon, making a compelling case for being the nation’s top team. Yet, the AVCA voters seem unconvinced, keeping them in the runner-up position.


AVCA Top 25 Volleyball Rankings (Week of October 29, 2024)

  1. Pittsburgh (19-1) - 51 first-place votes
  2. Nebraska (20-1) - 9 first-place votes
  3. Penn State (18-2)
  4. Louisville (17-3)
  5. Stanford (16-4)
  6. Creighton (17-3)
  7. Wisconsin (16-5)
  8. Kansas (15-5)
  9. Texas (14-5)
  10. Oregon (15-6)
  11. Minnesota (14-6)
  12. Kentucky (13-7)
  13. Arizona State (15-4)
  14. BYU (15-5)
  15. SMU (14-5)
  16. Georgia Tech (15-4)
  17. Baylor (13-6)
  18. Florida State (14-6)
  19. Dayton (16-4)
  20. Marquette (14-6)
  21. San Diego (13-7)
  22. Tennessee (13-8)
  23. Iowa State (12-8)
  24. UCLA (11-9)
  25. Washington State (10-9)


Key Movers in the Rankings

Other noteworthy movements in the rankings include Wisconsin, who climbed from No. 8 to No. 7, and Kansas, who held steady at No. 8. Texas, previously ranked No. 7, dropped two spots to No. 9 despite their strong performances this season. Creighton remains a top-six team, while Oregon, after a loss last week, rounds out the top 10.


Arizona State holds firm at No. 13, while Kentucky stays at No. 14. Minnesota and Georgia Tech continue to fight for positioning, with the Yellow Jackets climbing to No. 16 after back-to-back wins in ACC play. Baylor also made a significant jump to No. 17, bolstered by strong showings in recent weeks.

The Big Ten and ACC remain powerhouses in the Top 25, with seven teams each. This competitive representation from both conferences has made every match critical as teams jockey for postseason seeding.


Georgia Tech’s Ascent

Georgia Tech’s rise to No. 16 is a highlight of the latest rankings. The Yellow Jackets have won two consecutive matches and boast a 15-4 overall record. With key players like Bianca Bertolino leading the charge, Georgia Tech is well-positioned to continue climbing the rankings if they maintain their momentum against Duke and North Carolina in their upcoming matches.


Marquette’s Ranking Drama

Despite an undefeated week and an extended winning streak, Marquette did not move up in the rankings. The Golden Eagles, who have now won nine consecutive matches, saw their points decrease from 34 to 22, raising questions about their standing in the eyes of AVCA voters. Dayton, however, rose to No. 19 and remains the only ranked team on Marquette’s schedule. The Golden Eagles will be looking to prove themselves as they take on Villanova and St. John’s this weekend.


What’s Next for the Top Teams?

The road ahead for top-ranked teams is filled with challenging matchups. Nebraska’s matchups against No. 3 Penn State and No. 7 Wisconsin will be crucial in determining their standing and perhaps gaining more first-place votes. Pittsburgh will look to solidify their No. 1 ranking as they face stiff competition in the ACC.


Wisconsin, Kansas, and Texas will also be in the spotlight as they fight for higher rankings and better postseason seeding. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, every match and every set will be crucial.



The AVCA Top 25 Rankings continue to highlight the depth and talent across women’s college volleyball. As the postseason nears, fans and teams alike are bracing for what promises to be an unforgettable finish.

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