Volleyball Earns All First-Place Votes in NAIA Rating

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following a pair of GPAC road wins last week, the Northwestern volleyball team has once again been ranked as the No. 1 team in the NAIA, this time receiving all 21 first-place votes.

The Raiders' early-season success has come from a team effort, with multiple athletes sitting among the top of the conference and nation in their respective stat categories. Zavyr Metzger continues to lead the NAIA in blocks per set (1.93), and two others, Maddy Sampson (1.14) and Emma Westphal (1.13), are top five in the category. Reigning GPAC Attacker of the Week is the conference leader in kills per set (3.91), followed by Alysen Dexter (3.77). Douma is also fifth in total kills (168) and Dexter sits first in service aces per set (0.58).

As a team, Northwestern is one of the most efficient teams in the country, sitting eighth in hitting percentage (.284). They are the best blocking team in the NAIA by a wide margin, averaging a stifling 3.47 blocks per set rate.

After Northwestern, Eastern Oregon, Jamestown, Concordia (Neb.), and Southern Oregon round out the top five.

Five GPAC teams were represented in the rating, with two teams (Northwestern and Concordia) placed in the top 10.

Northwestern has been ranked in 55 consecutive polls, sitting third in the NAIA's active streaks.

GPAC IN THE TOP 25
No. 1 Northwestern Red Raiders
No. 4 Concordia Bulldogs
No. 20 Midland Warriors
No. 21 Morningside Mustangs
RV College of Saint Mary Flames

Northwestern has the night off on Wednesday before heading to Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

#11 Alysen Dexter: OH; 5' 11"; Senior

#10 Zavyr Metzger: MH; 6' 1"; Junior

#15 Emma Westphal: RS; 6' 0"; Junior

#8 Maddy Sampson: MH; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#11 Alysen Dexter
: 5' 11"; Senior
: OH

#10 Zavyr Metzger
: 6' 1"; Junior
: MH

#15 Emma Westphal
: 6' 0"; Junior
: RS

#8 Maddy Sampson
: Freshman
: MH