SMU Volleyball Lands No. 6 NCAA Seed In Early Tournament Rankings

DALLAS - SMU volleyball isn't just winning matches. The Mustangs are putting themselves in position to make some serious noise when the NCAA Tournament arrives in December.

The NCAA Division I women's volleyball committee placed SMU at No. 6 in its preliminary top-16 rankings Sunday, recognizing a team that has emerged as one of the nation's legitimate postseason contenders.

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The announcement, made during ESPN's broadcast of the Texas-Florida match, provides an early look at how the NCAA Tournament bracket could take shape when the official 64-team field is revealed Nov. 29.

For SMU, the implications are significant.

The top 16 seeds earn the opportunity to host first- and second-round tournament matches, while the top four receive hosting privileges through the regional rounds.

At No. 6, the Mustangs are firmly in the conversation for a favorable postseason path, although there's still plenty of volleyball remaining.

SMU enters the week with a 14-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in ACC competition.

More importantly, the Mustangs have demonstrated they can beat elite opponents.

SMU owns victories over three teams included in the committee's preliminary top 16, giving the program valuable results that could influence its eventual tournament placement.

Among those accomplishments was a stunning four-set victory over Pittsburgh earlier this month.

The Mustangs defeated the previously unbeaten Panthers on their home floor, ending Pitt's remarkable 58-match home winning streak.

That victory wasn't simply another entry in the win column. It provided convincing evidence that SMU can compete with the country's best programs.

Pittsburgh currently sits second in the committee's rankings, behind undefeated Nebraska.

Kentucky, Wisconsin and Florida round out the top five, followed by SMU, Louisville and TCU.

The Mustangs are one of three ACC programs represented, joining Pittsburgh and Louisville.

The committee evaluates teams using several measures, including the Ratings Percentage Index, strength of schedule, quality victories, significant losses and head-to-head results.

Those criteria help explain why SMU's victories against nationally ranked competition carry considerable weight.

But securing a favorable tournament seed will require continued success.

The Mustangs now face four consecutive road matches, beginning Friday against Clemson in South Carolina. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.

Conference road victories will become increasingly important as the Nov. 29 selection announcement approaches.

And while Sunday's rankings aren't a guarantee of anything, they represent another meaningful step forward for SMU.

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The Mustangs have already demonstrated they belong among college volleyball's elite.

Now comes the bigger challenge: Turning an impressive regular season into a deep NCAA Tournament run.