LEXINGTON, Ky. – First the first time since the 2018 Preseason Poll, Winona State University has ascending into the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II Top 25, checking in this week at No. 19.

Unranked in the 2019 Preseason Poll, Winona State caught voter's attention this year after ripping off an 8-0 start and had been receiving votes in the poll for the previous four releases until this week.

The Warriors' rise into the Top 25 was made possible by a pair of road sweeps over nationally-ranked opponents last weekend. Winona State took down then-No. 19 Sioux Falls and then-No. 8 Southwest Minnesota State on their home courts in straight sets.

WSU is 4-2 this season against teams ranked or receiving votes in the Top 25.

Winona State is one of nine teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) ranked within this week's Top 25.

The Warriors return home this weekend and begin their Homecoming festivities against No. 15 Wayne State on Friday night at 7 p.m. The weekend concludes on Saturday against Augustana University at 5 p.m.