HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College volleyball team (19-4) has earned a spot in the initial release of the NCAA Division III Region V regional rankings, the NCAA announced in a release on Wednesday afternoon. These NCAA regional rankings ultimately lead up to the selection of at-large bids for the NCAA Tournament. The rankings include the top six NCAA tournament eligible teams in each region. The rankings ultimately lead up to the selection of at-large bids to the NCAA postseason tournament.
For the initial release of the rankings, programs were ordered alphabetically and not by number. The Fords joined conference foes Johns Hopkins (22-0), and Dickinson (12-6) in the initial rankings release. The other regionally ranked teams include Eastern (19-2), Juniata (20-1), Messiah (14-8), Scranton (21-4), Stevenson (20-4), and Susquehanna (18-5). Haverford has a 5-2 record against that grouping, with a pair of wins against Eastern along with triumphs over Dickinson, Messiah, and Scranton. The Fords fell to top-ranked Johns Hopkins and were out-dueled in five sets against Stevenson in September.
Statistically, Haverford ranks within the top 50 in the nation in assists (981) and assists per set (11.54), along with total blocks (160). Dina Kosyagin is 13th in all of Division III with 326 total kills, while Juliet Young is 14th in total digs (465). Taylor Jones is 19th in the nation in total blocks (84).
With a regional ranking secured, the Fords will travel to Gettysburg on Saturday, October 23 for a 1 p.m. first serve at Bream Gym. The Fords then wrap up regular season play with a trip to Ursinus (Oct. 27) before hosting Swarthmore on Senior Day (Oct. 30).