Penn State women’s volleyball will begin its spring 2021 season ranked No. 9 in the country, according to the latest AVCA Division I Coaches Poll.

The Nittany Lions moved two spots down from No. 7, where they ended the 2019 season. Currently, all conferences but the Ivy League are eligible to be included in the poll.

Russ Rose’s squad is joined by a number of Big Ten representatives in the poll, including Wisconsin (No. 1), Nebraska (No. 5), Minnesota (No. 7), Purdue (No. 13), and Michigan (No. 24). Defending national champion Stanford checked in at No. 3.

Ready for some wild stats? This is now the 383rd week Penn State’s ranked in the poll’s top 10 and the 509th week it’s been ranked period.

Penn State will begin its spring season on Friday, January 22, with a two-match road trip to Michigan. Rose is currently one victory away from piling up 1,300 all-time wins, which would make him the first coach Division I coach to cross that benchmark.

Penn State women’s volleyball wrapped up an impressive 2019 season with a 27-6 overall record, finishing 17-3 in competitive Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions lost to Stanford in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.