The North Central men’s volleyball team has been climbing the ranks as of late in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) poll.
Just three weeks ago, the team was tied at No. 10 with Benedictine University. Weeks later the team moved up two spots landing at No. 8. The team is now looking to climb higher in the rankings, hoping to clinch that No.1 spot.
“It’s been nice to get national recognition in the fourth year of the program,” said Head Coach Kyle Exline.
The team has been working hard to put NCC in national rankings since their first season. It has taken the men’s volleyball team four years to even be considered one of the top teams in the nation.
They have come a long way since their first season, then ending with an 8-16 overall record and quickly picking up momentum to end last season with an overall record of 17-8.
NCC decided on the tough scheduling this season to push their athletes. The team’s philosophy is, “In order to become the best, you have to play the best and then beat the best,” said Exline. “The guys are hungry. They’re playing at level right now, that they were playing at the end of last season.”
The team is looking to have a No. 1 next to their name and to go 21-5 by the end of the season.
“What we’re focused on now is doing well in regionals and doing well in conference. We’re focusing on the now, being in the present, worrying about that specific day and the next match and our next opponent,” Exline said.
The team’s goals are to both rise in rankings on the AVCA poll and bring home the regular season conference championship. The team is hoping to go 14-0 in the regular season.
