INDIANAPOLIS – After a one-week hiatus, Great Midwest Athletic Conference West Division member Findlay is back in the picture at No. 24 in the new American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top-25 Poll announced Monday.
 
The Oilers could do no wrong in Week 2, but fell out of the top 25 despite handing Ashland, led by former Lake Erie coach Kevin Foeman, the Eagles’ first loss of the season while also beating Midwest Region opponent Missouri St-Louis.
 
Findlay was also ranked 24th in Week 1 of the fall season and restored that national ranking with the AVCA Week 3 edition.
 
The Oilers (8-1, 3-0 Great Midwest) are on a hot streak as winners of seven straight, including tonight’s win at home against Ohio Dominican.
 
Findlay is also in a three-way tie at the top of the West Division along with Hillsdale and Tiffin. UF and HC shared the title of co-West Division champions for the regular season last year.
 
The Oilers are tops in the Great Midwest in hitting percentage (.277) and service aces (2.72 per set), second in assists (12.45 per set) and kills (13.21 per set). Middle blocker Shelby Kin was the Great Midwest West Division Player of the Week to start the season.
 
Kin ranks second in the league in hitting percentage while teammate Madison Moore is also top 10 in the category.
 
After setting the single-season conference record in assists, senior All-American Hailee Olson is tracked with another fast start by averaging close to 11 per game. First team all-conference outside hitter Amanda Winner is another key contributor with strong numbers that mirror last year’s.
 
Senior defensive specialist Kara Scherger is ranked in the top 10 in the league in both service aces and digs.