2018 AVCA final poll: Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Aurora move into top 6

National champion Emory was not the unanimous top-ranked team in the final AVCA poll of the 2018 season. The Eagles got 69 top votes while runner-up Calvin got one and finished second in the poll. I love it.

Rounding out the top five were No. 3 Juniata, No. 4 Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Wittenberg. Aurora, ranked for just the second time, was sixth in the final poll. Aurora’s only previous poll appearance was a No. 25 ranking in 2017.

Other Central and Midwest region teams in the final 2018 poll: No. 10 Illinois Wesleyan; No. 13 Chicago; No. 15 Washington-St. Louis; No. 18 Gustavus Adolphus; No. 19 Wisconsin-Whitewater; No. 23 Saint Benedict.

Illinois Wesleyan matched its highest ever ranking. Chicago achieved its highest ever poll position earlier this season when it reached No. 8 for two straight weeks.

Central and Midwest region teams receiving votes in the final poll: Minnesota Morris; St. Thomas.

My final top 10 of the 2018 season had Chicago instead of Colorado College.

-Ricky Nelson