LEXINGTON, Ky. - After an upset victory that had the whole country talking, the University of Northwestern Volleyball team finds itself just outside the top 25 in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III poll.

Click here to see the full AVCA poll.

Last week, Northwestern received just five votes, putting it at No. 43 overall and on the verge of falling off the list entirely. After sweeping No. 7 Juniata on Friday night and losing to No. 1 UW-Oshkosh (who lost to Juniata on Saturday) by a combined seven points, UNW nearly broke through into the top 25 this week, receiving 102 votes and coming in 28th.

Juniata actually moved up to No. 6 this week after the five-set upset of Oshkosh, handing the Titans their first loss of 2026, while UWO remained at No. 1 despite the loss. UW-Eau Claire, whom Northwestern will play on September 30th, is up to No. 3, while the Eagles' October 21st opponent, St. Olaf, dropped from No. 21 to 25 this week. Dubuque, who swept UNW on September 11th, is back in the top 25 this week, checking in at 21st.

Northwestern will open UMAC play tonight at 7:00 PM with a home tilt against North Central.