CMS Volleyball Moves Up To No. 2 in Newest National Rankings

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's volleyball team, which began the season ranked No. 10 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, has now moved up to No. 2 in the latest national poll, the AVCA announced today.

The Athenas trail only Johns Hopkins, which won the national title in 2019 with an undefeated season and is off to a 6-0 start so far this year. The Blue Jays were ranked No. 3 last week, behind Trinity (Texas) and Emory. 

The door opened for there to be a new No. 1 team when CMS defeated both Trinity and Emory on the same day at the East-West Battle, hosted by Cal Lutheran. That same day, Johns Hopkins prevailed in a marathon five-set match against Virgina Wesleyan, winning the fifth set 23-21, to stay among the ranks of the unbeaten. 

Jackie Jones was named the SCIAC Offensive Player of the week for her efforts in the wins over Trinity and Emory, when she had a combined 30 kills (including a career-high 20 against Emory) in only 55 attempts. She was also named to the East-West Battle All-Tournament team, along with Melanie Williams, who was also on the All-Tournament team at the Pacific Coast Classic with teammate Jenna Layne Holmes.

Trinity slipped to No. 3 after the loss to the Athenas, and is followed by Colorado College and Emory. Calvin, which CMS visits later this season, stands at No. 6, while Ohio Northern (No. 8) and Hope (No. 9) will also meet up with CMS at Calvin's tournament.

CMS will be back in action in one week, when it takes on Whittier at home in its 2021 SCIAC opener.