AVCA Week 6 poll: Carthage tumbles

Carthage, after two weekend losses to ranked teams, fell three spots to No. 10 in the latest AVCA poll. Christopher Newport was the only other top 10 team to lose last week, and the Captains dropped two spots to No. 8.

No. 1 Calvin, Washington, Emory, Wittenberg and Eastern still comprise the top five. Despite the reshuffling, the 6-10 teams remained the same.

Elmhurst was the biggest riser, vaulting four spots to No. 21 after winning the UW-Platteville Invite last weekend. Bowdoin (15-1) entered the top 25 for the first time in program history. Whitworth (12-5) fell from the top 25, from 21st to 26th, as a result of a conference sweep to Lewis & Clark. WIAC leader UW-Stevens Point is receiving votes for the first time this season. The Pointers are one of two WIAC teams to have never been in the top 25.

My top 10 varies a bit from the AVCA, but I think the voters may have it right this week. I gave more credence to Carthage (18-4) for head-to-head wins and a difficult schedule, granting the Lady Reds the “2011 Juniata Exception,” which allows for a better-than-maybe-deserved ranking in lieu of future expectations and an exemption for a challenging schedule (despite not having anywhere near the tradition of Juniata). The voters didn’t agree with that rationale. I accept that. Juniata (16-5) is ranked 11th. It’s the Eagles’ third week outside the top 10 this season and the third time in program history.

Central and Midwest team receiving votes this week: 2. Washington 9. Concordia-Moorhead 10. Carthage 12. St. Thomas 16. Chicago 21. Elmhurst 23. UW-Whitewater 24. UW-Platteville Receiving votes: Wartburg (No. 29), UW-Stevens Point (No. 32).

-Ricky Nelson