LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Chaminade University women's volleyball team moved up one spot to No. 6 in the AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll released Monday.
The Silverswords' ranking is the highest since moving up to Division II in 1989. It is also the highest for a Pacific West Conference program since California Baptist was sixth in the final poll of the 2017 season (CBU was ranked No. 1 in the final regular season poll in 2017).
The University of Tampa remains the top-ranked squad in D-II followed by MSU Denver, Nebraska-Kearney, Southwest Minnesota State and Missouri-St. Louis.
Fellow PacWest member Point Loma moved up five spots to No. 20. Other west region teams in the top 25 include Cal Poly Pomona at No. 11, Cal State Los Angeles at 17 and Cal State San Bernardino at 21. San Francisco State and Simon Fraser are among those receiving votes.
The 'Swords (9-3) opened PacWest action last week with sweeps of conference newcomer Menlo and Dominican. Head coach
Kahala Kabalis Hoke was able to use most of the roster in both matches, giving the starters a breather and the reserves extended playing time.
Anna Stucchi (Roncello, Italy/Santa Clara University/I.I.S. Ezio Vanoni HS) leads the PacWest in attack percentage of .452 while
Letizia Cammillucci (Padova, Italy/San Jose State/Liceo Amedeo di Savoia Duca D'asosta HS) is fifth in kills per set at 3.33 with Stucchi ninth at 3.10. Chaminade leads the conference in hitting percentage at a .254 clip.
The Silverswords head back to the road this Sunday, opening a four-match northern California road swing at Academy of Art.
