LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Southwest Minnesota State University volleyball team moved up six spots to No. 9 in the week one American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II poll released on Monday.

SMSU, ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll, went 4-0 this past weekend at the West Florida SpringHill Suites Invitational. The Mustangs opened the season with two reverse sweeps against Spring Hill (Ala.) and tournament hosts (RV) West Florida. SMSU then followed that with two sweeps of Northern Michigan and Wheeling (W. Va.).

SMSU is one of five schools in the NSIC ranked in the top 25, with the Mustangs leading the way at No. 9. St. Cloud State, No. 3 in the preseason polls, ranks at No. 10, while Concordia-St. Paul comes in at No. 11. Northern State jumps up three places to No. 22, and Wayne State rounds out the list at No. 25. Minnesota Duluth is receiving votes.

The Mustangs will travel to Pittsburg, Kansas, to play a three-game stretch at the Pittsburg State Classic this Thursday and Friday. SMSU will take on Southern Nazarene (Okla.) on Thursday before facing Maryville (Mo.) and Pittsburg State on Friday. SMSU begins conference play at Bemidji State on Sept. 19 and at Minnesota Duluth on Sept. 20. SMSU plays its first home match against MSU Moorhead on Sept. 26.