SEC Volleyball could be titled SEC Women's Volleyball since the SEC doesn't compete in Men's Volleyball. But, that is common in the NCAA. In fact, 311 NCAA Division I schools compete in Women's Volleyball. Only 22 compete in Men's. [The reason for this probably relates to Federal Title IX requirements -- see Baseball and Title IX.]
In any event, the first question this site answers is – which conference is the best volleyball conference?
The answer?
Sorry, not the SEC.
[The following statistics have not been updated yet to include the 2007 season, however, the conference rankings are still generally accurate.] The best NCAA Division I women's volleyball conference is clearly the
1. PAC-10 PAC-10 schools have won the Women's NCAA Volleyball Championship 5 of the past 6 years. (Last year Stanford lost to Nebraska in the NCAA Championship final). The Washington Huskies won it in 2005 and USC and Stanford both won it 2 years each. Plus, going back ten or even twenty years you still have the PAC-10 winning more than anyone else. UCLA, for instance, won the NCAA Championship three times between 1984 and 1991. In 2006, the PAC-10 had 7 teams selected to go the NCAA tournament and an amazing 5 made it to the sweet 16. So, the PAC-10 is clearly #1.
Thanks to utsports.com for photo #2 above. Thanks to ukathletics.com for photos 1, 3 and 4 above. All rights are reserved for these photos.
Ever wonder which Southeastern Conference volleyball player was the best in history? Find out who we picked at Best All-Time SEC Volleyball Player
Now, after that, the next two conferences are pretty close. They are:
2. Big-10 7 schools picked for the NCAA tournament, an amazing 5 made it to the "Sweet 16".
3. Big-12 6 teams selected for the NCAA tournament, 3 made it to the "Sweet 16". Plus, they have the top ranked team (and National Champion) in America this year – the Nebraska Lady Cornhuskers.
4. SEC 7 teams picked for the NCAA tournament. But only 1 (Florida Lady Gators) made it to the round of 16. However, the Southeastern Conference is definitely improving as the 7 teams selected this year are the most that have ever been selected from the SEC to go to the NCAA tournament (prior record was 6). I don't mean to denigrate SEC Volleyball at all. It's good. It is one of only 4 conferences that as a conference seriously competes on a national level. It's just that the gap between SEC Volleyball and the top 3 volleyball conferences is still substantial. But, we are closing the gap.
5. No other conference is worth mentioning in Women's Volleyball. The ACC and Big East each had one team get selected for the NCAA tournament (Duke and Louisville). Neither made it far. Really, only the four conferences listed above are competitive (as a whole) in this sport.
There must be something about SEC Fall Womens Sports and LSU and Florida. Just like in Soccer, Florida won the 2007 SEC Volleyball Championship and LSU won the SEC Western Division Volleyball Championship.
Here's what we predicted before the season started:
We rank the SEC Volleyball teams as follows (click on link to go to team page):
1. Florida Gators -- Easy choice. Top SEC Record (19-1). Won the SEC East and then the SEC tournament (12th time) to be crowned SEC champs. They are clearly the top SEC volleyball team. They were ranked #7 in the last national poll and were the only team in the SEC to make it to the sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament (lost to Minnesota in regional semifinal).
2. Alabama Crimson Tide -- The Tide lost (2 games to 3) in the first round of the 2006 NCAA tournament to Stephen F. Austin in a close match. They finished 3rd in the SEC in 2006 and return 5 of 6 starters for next year. Crystal Hudson made first team All-SEC. Bridget Fuentez made second team All-SEC Volleyball. The Tide look to win the SEC West in 2007.
3. LSU Tigers Volleyball -- Ended 2006 with 16-4 SEC record and won the SEC West. They were the only team (other than Florida) ranked in the top 25 in the final national poll. LSU had two First Team All SEC Volleyball players in Daniela Romero and Marina Skender. Lauren DeGirolamo made the SEC All-Freshman team.
4. Tennessee Volunteers -- Lost in a tough 4 game match to 25th ranked Duke in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Finished 10-10 in the SEC, but 9-1 in non-conference games during the regular season. They lost 3 senior starters this year and you might expect 2007 to be a rebuilding year. But, we don't think so. Tennessee has had a strong off-season. We think the Vols will have another strong year and finish second to Florida in the SEC East.
5. Kentucky Wildcats -- Won their first round NCAA game against Ohio and lost in the second round to 14th ranked Purdue. They had the SEC freshman of the year in Sarah Rumely and two second team All SEC Volleyball players in Queen Nzenwa and Nicole Britenriker. 2006 was Kentucky's best volleyball season since 1992. 2007 will be another good year for Kentucky.
6. Arkansas Razorbacks -- Had a solid year in 2006, with a 9-11 SEC record and were selected for the NCAA tournament. But, lost in the first round. Denitza Koleva (Senior, from Bulgaria) made 2d team All-SEC Volleyball. She was also was selected for all-South Region honors. Denitza was one of the best volleyball players ever at Arkansas as she ranks in the top-10 in almost every statistical category. Destiny Clark made the All-Freshman team.
7. Ole Miss Rebels -- 2006 was a great year for the Rebels. It was their first winning season since 1996 and their first bid to the NCAA tournament. They lost in the first round to 6th ranked USC. Joe Getzin was named SEC Volleyball Coach of the Year (well deserved). Jaclyn Toohey made second-team All-SEC.
8. South Carolina Gamecocks -- Beat Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Kentucky (4 of the top teams in the SEC) last year. Shonda Cole made First Team All SEC Volleyball and the All-South team.
9. Georgia Bulldogs Finished dead last (of competing teams) in the SEC with a 2-18 conference record. They did win 4 out of 7 matches out of conference. We think Georgia will improve dramatically in 2007. Still, the Lady Bulldogs have lots of work to do to seriously compete in Volleyball in the SEC.
10. Auburn Tigers -- Actually had their best season since 2000 at least. But, Volleyball is just not Auburn's strong suit. Rachel Shanks was selected as the SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year.
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs -- Finished 8-12 last year in the SEC, but 9-1 out of conference. Martina Gregusova made the SEC All-Freshman team. Jamie Joyner was named to the 2006 SEC Volleyball Community Service Team. MSU is probably the "best" team we have predicted to come in last in any sport in the SEC. We just think Auburn has a bit more experience and will finish ahead of the Lady Bulldogs.
12. Vanderbilt Commodores -- VANDY does not have a volleyball team. So, obviously they are last in the SEC in the sport.
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