VOLLEYBALL: Big 12 power rankings

Kayci Woodley

1. No. 2 Texas (6–0)

The Longhorns will take the week off after an easy sweep over Kansas State last Friday, where three Texas hitters tallied double-digit kills. This Saturday, the Longhorns will host Oklahoma, as the Sooners enter with confidence after going toto five sets with ranked Big 12 opponent, Nebraska.

2. No. 14 Iowa State (4–2)

The Cyclones continued their reign at Hilton Coliseum with a 3–0 sweep over Missouri on Saturday. Despite a low attacking percentage in the game, Iowa State was able to overcome the Tiger offense that posted an even lower hitting percentage. 13.5 blocks by the Cyclones helped create the dismal attacking effort by Missouri. Iowa State will enter Norman to face Oklahoma, who comes off a tight five-set battle against Nebraska last Wednesday and an easy sweep of Texas Tech on Saturday.

3. No. 17 Baylor (5–1)

The Bears rose yet again in the AVCA poll after their sweep over Colorado on Saturday. Led by outside hitter Katie Sanders, Baylor easily slid past the Buffaloes who posted a dismal .138 attacking percentage against the fierce Baylor defense. The Bears hit the road to face Texas Tech on Wednesday, where the Baylor defense should easily deny a dull offensive attack the Raiders bring.

4. Oklahoma (4–2)

After coming close to a victory over the Huskers last Wednesday, the Sooners will enter this week with confidence after the five-set match, despite the loss, and an easy victory over Texas Tech on Saturday. Oklahoma will have an advantage this week as the Cyclones have looked sluggish on the road in Big 12 competition, aside from last week’s game in Lubbock.

5. No. 9 Nebraska (3–2)

The Huskers had last weekend off and will host Kansas on Wednesday with the thought of the close match against Oklahoma lingering in their minds. The Sooners brought all they had into the game, stunning the Huskers with wins in sets one and four. The Jayhawks enter the game after a loss to the Aggies with the need for a win in order to break the current tie with Missouri in Big 12 standings.

6. Texas A&M (3–2)

The Aggies swept past Kansas despite close scores in the second and third sets. By the score, it may seem like A&M easily rolled by the Jayhawks, but the win wasn’t so easy. Both teams had hitting percentages just over .200 and only had one standout player on the attacking end. A&M will host Kansas State on Wednesday, which has the potential of a five-set game, if the Wildcats play the way they did against Texas.

7. Kansas (2–3)

The Jayhawks will travel to Lincoln on Wednesday after a recent 3–0 loss to Texas A&M. Against the Aggies, neither team played particularly well, and Kansas will have to pick up the pace if it wants to contend with the No. 9 Huskers on their home court.

8. Missouri (2–3)

The Tigers suffered a loss to the Cyclones last Saturday as both teams had low-performing offensive games. Against Colorado, the Tigers can afford a low-hitting game as the Buffs have yet to win a conference match. It could be a close Big 12 battle, however, if Missouri doesn’t performoffensively and Colorado plays scrappy defensively.

9. Kansas State (0–4)

The Wildcats’ 3–0 loss to Texas last Friday doesn’t tell the story of the game as Kansas State came within five points each set and posted a whopping .300 hitting percentage as a team. . The Wildcats travel to Texas A&M on Wednesday, where the anxious Aggies will await after their recent sweep of the Jayhawks.

10. Texas Tech (0–4)

The Red Raiders will have to step up this week if they plan on upsetting the No. 17 Bears, whose recent momentum has been displayed.

Texas Tech suffered a recent annihilation by Oklahoma. Not a single player on the Texas Tech lineup posted double-digit kills, and as a team the Raiders posted an embarrassing .093 hitting percentage.

11. Colorado (0–6)

A tenacious Baylor defense denied the Buffs last Saturday in Boulder, where Colorado was swept 3–0. Colorado may have its best chance at a Big 12 victory this Wednesday as they travel to Missouri.