Pitt stays on top, SMU slides into latest volleyball Power 10 rankings

Alright, let’s do it, my Week 7 college volleyball Power 10 rankings:

1. Pitt (Prev. 1)

I have Pitt staying at No. 1, despite notching its first loss on the season to SMU. The same SMU that swept Nebraska. The Panthers played them twice in one week, sweeping them at home before losing in five sets on the road. 

The reality is that SMU is a legit team, and I couldn’t justify putting Nebraska ahead when the same group swept them. Pitt now has just one loss but is still dominant and deserving of No. 1. 

2. Nebraska (Prev. 2)

Nebraska remains at No. 2, the Huskers prevailed in five sets over then-No. 10 Purdue. It was one of the best volleyball games I’ve seen all season. Nebraska battled to that win despite being outhit all match, and Merritt Beason posted 22 kills as Bergen Reilly led the offense with 60 assists and 17 digs. 

Finishing the week 2-0 at home! ✅✅

Huskers take down the Scarlet Knights in straight sets to remain undefeated in B1G play.

Husker Highlights | @DriveToyota pic.twitter.com/ZQmRakVTLm

— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) October 13, 2024

3. Penn State (Prev. 3)

PSU remains in the top 3 as well. Two wins over Michigan State and Indiana made this an easy choice.

4. Louisville (Prev. 4)

Louisville hangs on to its No. 4 ranking after surviving a five-set battle against Florida State. Anna DeBeer racked up 23 kills in the win, and they notched another top-25 win over Miami on the weekend.

5. Stanford (Prev. 5)

Stanford stays put as well, but they have a tough week up ahead — SMU on Wednesday and Pitt on Sunday. Both will be on the road. 

6. Creighton (Prev. 6)

Creighton stays at No. 6 with two sweeps as they make their way through the Big East. 

7. Texas (Prev. 8)

And finally some movement, I moved Texas up to a spot after another ranked sweep over Kentucky. Reagan Rutherford led the way in her return to Kentucky with 10 kills hitting over .430. The Longhorns have now swept two ranked SEC foes in their first season in the conference. 

8. Kansas (Prev. 7)

Kansas is at 8 — they still have just one loss on the year and notched two sweeps last week. 

9. SMU (Prev. NR)

And let’s give a big welcome to SMU to the Power 10 at No. 9. I mean come on, this team deserves it. If you haven’t seen the Mustangs play, get familiar. They have now taken down the top two teams in the country, Pitt and Nebraska. They have also…