Wisconsin retains No. 1, Florida surges in college volleyball Week 2 Power 10

Week 2 was a doozy in DI women’s volleyball — the top dogs posted consistent performances, while some shifts have occurred in the final few Power 10 slots. Here is Michella Chester’s take: 

1. Wisconsin (Previous: 1)

After claiming the No. 1 slot in the AVCA rankings with their Big Ten/Big 12 Challenge wins over ranked Baylor and TCU in the opening week, the Badgers went 3-0 in their Week 2 matches. Arkansas presented a challenge on Wednesday, pushing the match to five sets, but Wisconsin put an end to the Razorbacks’ foray with the help of right sider Devyn Robinson, who contributed 21 kills — tying her career high — on 48 swings. The Badgers returned to Barnhill Arena the next day and swept the Razorbacks.

It was an electric day at the Field House ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/HBhc4SD9Zp

— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) September 3, 2023

Three days later, the Lady Vols contested Wisconsin’s top ranking, stealing sets 3 and 4, but the Badgers rallied in the fifth and bemused Tennessee with out-of-system swings and defensive tactics that eventually notched the score in the Badgers’ favor. So far, Wisconsin has outhit and out-blocked each of its opponents, averaging a .323 hitting percentage and 11.6 blocks per match.

2. Louisville (3)

The Cards still post an undefeated record, shutting out South Dakota, Northern Kentucky and Missouri this week, but remain unchallenged at-large. Louisville is averaging 12.7 assists and 2.4 aces per set and has outhit all of its opponents thus far, .322 to .140. Libero Elena Scott has already dug up 83 balls this year and Coastal Carolina transfer Brigitta Petrenko is making her mark at the net with 14 service aces in five matches.

Lousiville will see its first threat next week when it faces Penn State on Sunday, Sept. 10.

3. Florida (8)

Florida made program history with two top-5 sweeps in one week, defeating No. 2 Stanford and No. 5 Minnesota. The Gators barely cracked Chester’s preseason Power 10 rankings, and earned a No. 8 slot after Week 1, but their Week 2 tear led them all the way to a No. 3 slot this week. 

This team is strong in all facets. Setter Alexis Stucky spearheads the front line for the Gators with about 42 assists per match, and Week 1 AVCA DI Player of the Week Kennedy Martin is a weapon on the attack with 76 kills on the season. Elli McKissock has the back court…