Lady Vols Rise to Eighth in AVCA Rankings

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Winners in eight of their last 10 matches, the Tennessee Lady Vols moved up to eighth in this week's AVCA rankings, marking the second-highest rank in program history.

The only higher ranking the Big Orange has ever achieved was sixth in the final poll of the 2005 rankings, following Tennessee's Final Four run. Since that came after the postseason, UT's eighth-place ranking this year marks the program's best placement during the regular season ever.

The Lady Vols (21-3, 12-2 SEC) boast one of the NCAA's top offenses, ranking inside the top 10 nationally in kills per set (2nd/14.65), assists per set (4th/13.45) and hitting percentage (7th/.299). Those marks also stand as the best in the SEC.

UT has swept 14 of its opponents this season, including seven conference foes. The Big Orange currently sits in second place in the SEC standings—just one match back from first—and owns the highest AVCA ranking in the league. With the victory last Friday night against Georgia, Tennessee reached 20 wins this season, marking the third time the Lady Vols accomplished that feat under head coach Eve Rackham Watt.

Up next, the Big Orange travels to Baton Rouge to take on LSU and then to College Station to face Texas A&M on the penultimate weekend slate of the regular season.

University of Tennessee Athletics

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