LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Southwest Minnesota State women's volleyball team (15-6, 8-6 NSIC) moved down one spot to No. 18 in the recent American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) DII poll released on Monday afternoon.

The Mustangs, ranked No. 17 in the week seven poll, went 2-1 last week, falling in four sets to Sioux Falls last Tuesday, before sweeping Minnesota Crookston and Minnesota State Moorhead on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

SMSU is one of seven NSIC schools represented in the recent poll, with Wayne State leading the conference and remaining at No. 6. Concordia-St. Paul moves up one to No. 9 followed by St. Cloud State at No. 11. The Mustangs are at No. 18, followed by Minnesota Duluth at No. 21. Northern State remains at No. 22, and Minnesota State falls one spot to No. 24.

The Mustangs are back at home this weekend, facing No. 21 Minnesota Duluth on Friday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. in the PE Gym, where the team will be hosting its annual "Red Out" in support of Heart Disease Awareness. SMSU will face Bemidji State the following Saturday at 2 p.m., also in the PE Gym. Both matches will be streaming live on the NSIC Network. Tickets and more information can be found at smsumustangs.com/sports/womens-volleyball.