Volleyball conference play is getting into swing for the teams in the SEC. Each team has played at least 13 games, giving a good idea of who each team is. Below are the Southeastern Conference volleyball teams power ranked:
1. Auburn
The Auburn Tigers may not have played the toughest schedule so far, but have gone undefeated through 14 games. Auburn was not expected to be anywhere near the top of the conference this season — picked to finish second to last in the SEC during the coaches’ preseason poll. The Tigers are a young team, with no seniors listed on the roster. Yet, freshmen pin hitters Madison Scheer and Akasha Anderson are a big reason why Auburn has had such a surprise season, having both been named the SEC Freshman of the Week in the past two weeks.
2. Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs have played better than expected and are currently ranked second in the conference. Senior outside hitter Kacie Evans was named the SEC player of the week after she totaled 64 kills (4.27 kills per set), 32 digs (2.13 kills per set), 14 total blocks (0.93 blocks per set) and seven service aces in a 3-0 week. Georgia will travel to Auburn this weekend in what will be a battle for the top spot in the SEC.
3. Florida
Two of the Gators’ three losses came to teams ranked in the top 15, and they also hold a win over No. 4 Wisconsin. The team is hitting at a 0.265 percentage and is averaging 46 kills a game. Sophomore right side and outside hitter Merritt Beason is leading the team in points, with 182 so far.
4. Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats have won the league the last five seasons, but are in danger of losing their crown. Kentucky played a very tough non-conference schedule and struggled in games against ranked opponents. However, the Wildcats have appeared to turn the gas back on for SEC play and are entering a stretch where they will be favored in most games. The Wildcats have a strong defense averaging 13.38 digs a set and have 99 blocks on the season. The offense has the highest hitting percentage in the league at .302.
5. Arkansas
Arkansas has been out to a strong start, picking up wins over No. 8 Washington and No. 7 Georgia Tech. Arkansas was ranked as the No. 23 team in the country but has since dropped out after starting SEC play 2-2. The Razorbacks have a strong offense with 716 kills this season, 101 more than their opponents have. They are second in the SEC in kills per game, with an average of 14.04.
6. Tennessee
The Lady Vols had some challenges in the non-conference part of the schedule but have looked a lot better since SEC play started. Tennessee is a very balanced team with a strong offense and defense. Senior right side hitter Morgahn Fingall leads the SEC in kills, with an average of 4.1 per game. It will be easier to see how skilled the Lady Vols are when they start to play some of the tougher teams in the conference.
7. LSU
Head coach Tonya Johnson has the LSU Tigers right where they were expected to be in her first season as LSU’s coach. Three of LSU’s six losses have come to ranked teams, and the Tigers were competitive in those games. Sophomore libero Ella Larkin leads the SEC in average digs per game with 4.41. Senior outside hitter Sanaa Dotson ranks No. 5 in the SEC with 3.91 kills per set, and her 227 total kills is the second-most in the league.
8. Mississippi State
Mississippi State is coming off its best season in program history but now has hit a bit of a regression. The Bulldogs have lost five games, four of which in games with five matches. Graduate middle blocker and right side hitter Gabby Waden was named to the preseason All SEC team and leads the Bulldogs in kills, with 194 thus far. The Bulldogs are third overall in average kills per game in the league, with 13.69 per game.
9. Texas A&M
The Aggies are 10-6 overall this season, but a three-game losing streak has them dropping down in the rankings. Texas A&M has struggled playing ranked teams, getting swept by No. 4 San Diego and No. 9 Pitt. Redshirt junior middle blocker Madison Bowser is a big part of the Aggies’ team and leads the SEC in hitting percentage at .433.
10. South Carolina
Home court advantage has been a big factor for the Gamecocks, who are almost perfect at home (8-1) but have only won one game on the road. After a week of sweeping Missouri and taking down No. 12 Florida, they have some momentum built up. The Gamecocks are led by their strong front line. South Carolina leads the SEC in blocks with an average of 2.86 a set, in large part due to sophomore middle Oby Anadi, who ranks No. 5 in the conference in blocks per set.
11.Missouri
Missouri, having won seven games so far, has already won two more games than the 2021 team. However, the Tigers have yet to pick up an SEC win. They played an aggressive game against No. 19 Kentucky, but it was not enough to grab a win. They continue to make each set close but have trouble closing them out and getting wins. Sophomore outside hitter Kaylee Cox is No. 6 in the SEC in points per game, with an average of 4.46, and freshman setter Riley Buckley is No. 9 in the SEC in assists, with 9.4 a game. Missouri was picked to finish 11th in the conference, and they seem to be on pace to do so.
12. Ole Miss
The Ole Miss Rebels are having a disappointing start to their season after their successful 2021 campaign, where they went 21-9 and made the NCAA tournament. The Rebels are 5-9 to start this season and only 1-3 in conference play. Ole Miss has allowed its opponents to hit an average of .240 — a reason for the Rebels’ struggles. A bright spot on the season is the emergence of freshman defensive specialist Cammy Niesen, who was named the SEC co-freshman of the week after back-to-back 20-dig performances on the road.
13. Alabama
Alabama has really struggled this season, with a 0.375 winning percentage and yet to find a win in conference play. Most of its losses are non-competitive, and the Crimson Tide have yet to win on the road. They rank last in hitting percentage, assists and kills in the SEC. It is looking like it could be a long season for Alabama. Alabama was picked to finish last in the SEC in the preseason coaches’ poll, so this ranking is not too surprising.
Edited by Riley Gearhart | rgearhart@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Amelia Hurley and Jacob Richey | jrichey@themaneater.com
