Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

LINCOLN, Neb. – After three straight victories last week, the University of Delaware volleyball team vaulted up seven spots in the RichKern.com/American Volleyball Coaches Association regional poll to secure fifth place in the East.

The rankings, which are based on the Rich Kern Percentage Index, include teams from the Atlantic Coast, Big South, and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conferences as well as the Colonial Athletic Association.

Delaware’s fifth-place ranking is its highest since finishing the 2007 season ranked third in the East after advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Overall, the Blue Hens stand 60th in the country, which marks the squad’s highest national ranking in the poll.

UD is the top-rated team from the CAA.

Last week, Delaware trumped Seton Hall, 3-2, before posting 3-0 victories over George Mason and James Madison. The squad has now won four straight matches and eight of its last 11.

The Hens are led by an impressive collection of talent, including junior setter Jess Chason (at right). She currently leads the CAA with a 9.69 assists-per-set average, while her 465 total assists rank third in the conference.

All-American libero Steph Barry also is tied for second in the league with a 4.41 digs-per-set mark, and Katie Dennehy is third among league participants with a 3.19 kills-per-set rate. Michelle LaLonde also stands fifth in the CAA in blocking, while fellow senior Kelly Gibson ranks sixth in aces.

In the Rich Kern rankings, Florida State sits atop the East and stands second in the country. The Seminoles are followed by fellow ACC powers Duke, Virginia Tech, and Miami. Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Clemson, and Virginia fall behind the Blue Hens, while VCU rounds out the top-10.

Delaware will be back in action on Friday when the squad travels to Towson to take on the Tigers at 7 p.m.

AGATE:

2009 RichKern.com/AVCA Regional Rankings - East Division (September 29): 1. Florida State; 2. Duke; 3. Virginia Tech; 4. Miami; 5. Delaware; 6. Georgia Tech; 7. North Carolina; 8. Clemson; 9. Virginia; 10. VCU; 11. George Mason; 12. Florida A&M; 13. Boston College; 14. Winthrop; 15. Georgia State; 16. UNC Wilmington; 17. Liberty; 18. Wake Forest; 19. Coastal Carolina; 20. UNC Asheville.