The top four have held strong for weeks upon weeks. It was in fact the only sure thing about college volleyball rankings in the midst of all of the crazy results of this season. Then came Week 9 — Texas was handed its very first loss of the season. The Longhorns were upset by Iowa State in the most unexpected fashion. And then to put the cherry on top, then-No. 2 Louisville was downed by ACC-rival Pittsburgh in five sets.
So just like that, I took back everything I had ever stated about the top four, and shook it all up. Here is my full explanation of this week’s Power 10 rankings:
1. Nebraska (3)
Behold, the new No. 1 team in my Power 10 college volleyball rankings. The two teams above them fell, and the Huskers were the perfect choice to take the top spot. Nebraska still remains UNBEATEN in the Big Ten, with just one top-10 loss on the season. For those who might argue Texas should remain atop, since they ALSO just have one loss on the season — I choose to value a loss to Stanford over an unranked loss to Iowa State. AND I am valuing the most recent outcomes here. There have been times where Nebraska has looked a little sloppy this season, but you can’t deny the 10-0 conference record and the non-conference outcomes. Now, keep in mind, the Huskers have a date with Wisconsin looming. That will be an AVCA top-five matchup and a REMATCH of the 2021 national title game. The Huskers move to No. 1, but it will all be challenged in a few days’ time.
2. Texas (1)
The top team in the nation was taken down after a 14-0 start to the season. The Longhorns were downed by Iowa State, an unranked team in a very unexpected outcome. The most bizarre part of it all — Texas outhit Iowa State .359 to .273, and out-blocked them 13-5, but STILL lost in the end. Five Texas players posted double-digit kills … if you looked at the numbers alone, you would never believe they lost this match. How often do you see a No. 1 team in the NCAA hit over .350 and lose? Give the Cyclones credit for pulling out the win and getting it done in the clutch moments. This will likely go down as the upset of the year. I moved Texas down to No. 2 with the loss since it still have a terrific body of work and just now registered its first loss on the year.
3. Louisville (2)
Next, the Louisville Cardinals moved down a spot to No. 3 following its five-set loss to Pittsburgh in a top-10, ACC battle. The Cards and Panthers will rematch…
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