LEXINGTON, Ky. -- For the first time in program history, the Lynchburg Hornets have earned a ranking in the AVCA Division III Women's Volleyball Coaches Poll, checking in at No. 25 (Week 9).

The Hornets (22-2, 8-1 ODAC) have been teetering on the outside looking in for most of the season. When the first AVCA Coaches Poll was unveiled on Tuesday, Sept. 2, the Lynchburg women's volleyball team appeared in the receiving votes column, where they remained until now.

The announcement comes eight days after the NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings placed Lynchburg at 13th out of 420 teams nationwide. Over this past week, the Hornets claimed three victories in dominant fashion, winning all of their matches via sweeps.

Lynchburg is one of three ODAC programs in this week's AVCA Coaches Poll, sitting one spot behind No. 24 Washington and Lee and seven spots behind No. 18 Virginia Wesleyan.

"I'm really excited for our program and our university to be recognized by our fellow coaches in a national poll," said Director of Volleyball Kevin Cardoza. "We're going to continue to get back into the gym and work toward our conference tournament goals and NCAA tournament aspirations. All the credit goes to our student-athletes for their hard work through the spring, summer, and fall season."

Cardoza and company now turn to their penultimate conference match of the regular season, hosting Eastern Mennonite on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in Turner Gymnasium. With four matches remaining, the Hornets are within striking distance of the program record for wins in a single season (26), potentially adding to what has already become a historic year.

er Gymnasium. With four matches remaining, the Hornets are well within striking distance of the program record for wins in a single season (26), potentially adding to what has already become a historic year.

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--LYN--