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Nov. 12, 2009

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Western Washington University volleyball team is ranked eighth in the NCAA Division II West Region poll released today.

The Vikings are 16-10 overall and fourth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference at 9-6. They entertain Montana State Billings on Saturday in their regular-season finale which could determine third-place in the league standings.

If Western can maintain that rating in the final poll, it could earn an at-large berth in the West Regional of the NCAA II National Tournament which takes place on Nov. 19-21 at a site to be determined. The selections will be announced Sunday night via the internet at ncaa.com.

Defending West Region champion Cal State San Bernardino is ranked No.1, followed by UC San Diego, Sonoma State, Hawaii Hilo, Alaska Anchorage, Cal State L.A., Seattle Pacific, Western, San Francisco State and Chico State.

Last year, the Vikings were No.6 regionally in the final week of the regular season and won their last match, but were not among the top eight in the final rating.

Western's last regional appearance was in 2007 when it won the title and went on to the national championship match.

Volleyball: UAA, SPU, WWU ranked in Regional Poll

Alaska Anchorage is ranked fifth in the final NCAA Division II West Regional ranking of the 2009 season.

The Seawolves are one of three GNAC teams in the Top 10. Seattle Pacific is ranked seventh and Western Washington is ranked eighth.

Following this weekend's contests, the NCAA will announce which five at-large teams join the CCAA, GNAC and PacWest champions in the regional.

Hawaii Hilo is the only team to officially clinch a berth so far by winning the PacWest title.

The pairings and host school for the tournament will be announced Sunday evening. The pairings are expected to be announced sometime after 4 p.m. Pacific on the NCAA web site.

NCAA West Region - 1. Cal State San Bernardino (26-1); 2. UC San Diego (26-2); 3. Sonoma State (21-6); 4. Hawaii Hilo (25-1); 5. Alaska Anchorage (20-6); 6. Cal State L.A. (19-8); 7. Seattle Pacific (15-10); 8. Western Washington (15-10; 9. San Francisco State (19-9); 10. Chico State (20-8).