2012 Week 2 regional rankings are (finally) out

Link to the entire 2012 second regional rankings. What are your opinions of the second rankings?

Shot in the dark: does anyone have access to the Pre-championship Manual or know anything about the 2012 version? Thought I’d ask again. I don’t want to seem pushy and repeatedly ask for something that the public should have every expectation and right to view.

Looking for tonight’s schedule post? Either scroll down one post or click here.

Central Region Rank, (last week), team, in-region record, overall record 1(1). St. Thomas 26-0 30-1 2(2). Washington-St. Louis 18-1 24-2 3(3). Wartburg 23-4 25-5 4(4). Saint Benedict 24-4 24-4 5(5). Northwestern 21-8 21-8 6(6). Bethel 18-10 19-10 7(7). Concordia-Moorhead 9-8 11-9 8(8). Carleton 15-8 16-8

Midwest Region Rank, (last week), team, in-region record, overall record 1(2). Elmhurst 18-5 25-7 2(1). UW-Whitewater 21-7 21-10 3(4). UW-Stevens Point 21-6 23-6 4(5). Dominican 22-7 22-7 5(3). Chicago 19-7 23-8 6(7). UW-Eau Claire 20-10 20-11 7(8). UW-Platteville 17-7 20-10 8(NR). Carthage 16-9 19-11 Dropped out: No. 6 Millikin.

My opinions: • What I had to say about Saint Benedict/Northwestern and Augsburg/Concordia-Moorhead last week still stands. The Cobbers swept Augsburg this week, but I still think Augsburg’s resume was better than Concordia’s the first two weeks. • Bethel above Carleton this week makes more sense than it did last week. • I respect the confidence that the Central committee has shown. Nothing changed from Week 1 to Week 2. That doesn’t mean I agree with some of the committee’s rankings.

• Well done, Midwest Region committee. I agree with every team and the order this week. Happy to see the Week 1 rankings were reevaluated and the results of the week were reflected in a logical manner.

• Why are records vs. ranked teams not included in the Week 2 PDF’s? It’s a primary criterion like the others on the PDF’s and those records would be simple additions. • The Central, Great Lakes and West rankings did not change from Week 1 to Week 2. • Juniata slipped two spots to No. 5 in the Mid-Atlantic. One of the most successful volleyball programs at any level is no lock for a Pool C should it slip in the Landmark tourney. • Carthage, Amherst and Trinity (Texas) were the only new teams to the Week 2 rankings. Millikin, Williams and Washington & Lee fell from the Week 1 rankings. • Five of the eight UAA teams are ranked. Five MIAC and SCIAC teams are also ranked. The OAC and WIAC have four ranked teams apiece.

-Ricky Nelson