Full NSIC Weekly Release
AVCA Top 25 Coaches Poll

The University of Minnesota Duluth moved up one spot to No. 2 in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association regular season poll as senior outside hitter Kate Lange and junior libero Julie Rainey were each named Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Players of the Week.

UMD (28-2) returned the favor to Concordia-St. Paul, knocking CU from the top of the AVCA rankings after the Golden Bears did the same to the Bulldogs earlier this season. Concordia now ranks No. 3, with Tampa University reclaiming the top spot for the second time this year. As the top two teams in the NSIC tournament, UMD and CU could have a rubber match in the Championship round if both teams hold serve throughout the week.

Lange, the two-time NSIC Player of the Year, smacked 43 kills on the weekend, good for a league-high average of 5.38 per set, while hitting .357 as the No. 3 Bulldogs defeated Minnesota State and No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul. She added a pair of solo blocks and three service aces while also hauling in 24 digs. Lange had five kills in the deciding fifth set against CU.  This marks the third time this season Lange has been NSIC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 9 and Oct. 14).

Rainey, who was named the conference's Libero of the Year last week, broke the UMD career digs record when she saved number 1,704 for her career in Saturday's win over No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul.  She boosted the mark to 1,710 by the end of the match, totaling 30 digs in the match. She had 56 defensive saves on the weekend, a league-high average of 7.00 per set, without a single reception error in 45 opportunities. Rainey added nine set assists and one service ace to her strong defensive effort. This marks the fifth time this season Rainey has been NSIC Defensive Player of the Week.

The NSIC maintains five teams in the top 25 this week, with Southwest Minnesota State moving up one spot to seventh and No. 18 Wayne State and No. 22 Northern State staying in place. Augustana still sits just outside the poll as the first team receiving votes this week.

The Bulldogs are 9-2 this season against teams in the top 25 or receiving votes in the final poll. They will open up NSIC postseason play at home on Wednesday night against Sioux Falls. Opening serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.