LEXINGTON, Ky. — After a pair of five-set thrillers, a loss to then-No. 9 Minnesota Duluth and a victory over then-No. 4 St. Cloud State, the Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team dropped one spot to No. 8 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Poll released on Monday afternoon.

 
The Mustangs are one of five NSIC schools ranked in the AVCA Top 25 with Wayne State leading the way as the unanimous No. 1. Concordia-St. Paul hangs in at No. 3, while Minnesota Duluth moved up three spots to No. 6, and St. Cloud State fell three spots to No. 7. 
 
SMSU has started 14-2 overall and 6-2 in the NSIC. They have now been ranked in the Top 25 for 207 of the last 208 rankings, dating back to Sept. 5, 2006.
 
Their 11 victories to open the season were tied for the second most wins to begin a season in program history, tying last year's squad for second most all-time. The record is held by the 2017 team, who started the season 16-0. 
 
SMSU begins a three-match week starting Tuesday, hosting Sioux Falls on Tuesday before traveling to face Minot State and UMary over the weekend. The Mustangs will take on the Cougars at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, before facing the Beavers at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, and the Marauders on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m.