The University of Alaska Fairbanks    

Nanooks ranked fifth in region

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Polls: Western Washington Second In First Regional Volleyball Poll

Western Washington, which has won 14 straight matches, is ranked second in the first official NCAA Division II Pacific regional poll of the 2003 season.

UC San Diego, which handed the Vikings (14-1) their only loss in August in a tournament at San Bernardino, is ranked first in the poll. Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage are ranked fifth and 10th, respectively.

The top three ranked teams in the final poll in November not earning an automatic berth will join the GNAC, PacWest and CCAA champions in the six-team regional tournament.

In this week's AVCA national volleyball poll, the Vikings, who are the highest ranked team among schools with just one loss, are ranked fourth.

Ahead of Western are top-ranked UC San Diego, second-ranked Barry, Fla., and third ranked Cal State San Bernardino. Other Pacific Regional teams ranked included defending national champion BYU-Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific. The two PacWest schools are ranked sixth and 14th, respectively.

NCAA Pacific Regional Poll - 1. UC San Diego (14-2); 2. Western Washington (14-1); 3. Cal State San Bernardino (13-3); 4. BYU-Hawaii (10-2); 5. Alaska Fairbanks (8-4); 6. Cal State LA (13-3); 7. Chaminade (7-4); 8. Hawaii Pacific (10-2); 9. Cal Poly Pomona (10-2); 10. Alaska Anchorage (10-5).