With No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth dropping two matches last weekend, that left an opening atop the Division II Top 25. Enter Nebraska-Kearney. The Lopers, who were ranked eighth in the preseason poll and fifth last week, went 4-0 at home to set up their ascent.
This is not the first stint atop the rankings for UNK as the team has been tabbed as the AVCA No. 1 25 times in its history, the last in the Oct. 8, 2012 poll.
The Lopers nabbed 25 of the 48 first place votes and finished 20 points ahead of No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul (6-2), the two-time defending national champions.
Northern Michigan (8-0), which was one of two teams to beat Minnesota-Duluth jumped into the poll at No. 23. No. 17 Texas A&M-Commerce (6-2) and No. 22 Drury (6-2) also were newcomers to the rankings.
For Texas A&M Commerce, it marked the first time the team has been among the Top 25 since 1989. The Lions downed No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul, No. 3 Lewis and No. 10 Regis on Week 2.
For Drury, it marks their first ever national ranking. The Panthers boasts wins over four ranked teams in 2018
| Rank | School (First-Place Votes) | Total Points Adjusted | 2018 Record | Previous Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska-Kearney (26) | 1142 | 8-0 | 5 |
| 2 | Concordia – St. Paul (15) | 1122 | 6-2 | 2 |
| 3 | Northern State (6) | 1080 | 8-0 | 7 |
| 4 | Palm Beach Atlantic | 919 | 8-0 | 11 |
| 5 | Lewis | 887 | 6-2 | 3 |
| 6 | Minnesota Duluth (1) | 850 | 6-2 | 1 |
| 7 | Southwest Minnesota State | 837 | 5-3 | 8 |
| 8 | Rockhurst | 816 | 7-1 | 6 |
| 9 | Cal State San Bernardino | 777 | 7-1 | 9 |
| 10 | Central Missouri | 731 | 6-2 | 14 |
| 11 | West Florida | 687 | 5-3 | 13 |
| 12 | Western Washington | 641 | 5-3 | 15 |
| 13 | Ferris State | 597 | 5-3 | 4 |
| 14 | Wheeling Jesuit | 537 | 6-2 | 12 |
| 15 | Regis | 470 | 4-4 | 10 |
| 16 | Gannon | 420 | 7-0 | 16 |
| 17 | Texas A&M-Commerce | 404 | 6-2 | NR |
| 18 | Central Oklahoma | 381 | 7-2 | 19 |
| 19 | Wayne State (Neb.) | 310 | 7-1 | 20 |
| 20 | Tampa | 272 | 7-1 | 25 |
| 21 | Florida Southern | 236 | 5-3 | 23 |
| 22 | Drury | 210 | 6-2 | NR |
| 23 | Northern Michigan | 185 | 8-0 | NR |
| 24 | Tarleton State | 168 | 6-2 | 18 |
| 25 | Missouri Western | 149 | 5-3 | 21 |
Others receiving votes and listed on two or more ballots: Findlay 137; Cal State L. A. 119; Upper Iowa 119; Colorado School of Mines 87; Truman 83; Angelo State 75; Augustana (SD) 26; Alaska-Anchorage 20; Central Washington 17; West Texas A&M 10; Chaminade 8; Cal Poly Pomona 7; Michigan Tech 7; Wingate 7; Ashland 4
Seven teams mentioned on only one ballot for a total of 43 combined points.
Dropped Out: Findlay 24; Colorado School of Mines 17; Augustana (SD) 22
