INDIANAPOLIS – For the third straight edition, Hillsdale was entrenched as one of the best in the country in the new American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top 25 Poll released earlier this week.
 
The Chargers were 14th following the second week of the regular season after breaking through Week 1 at No. 19.
 
Following a 2-1 week still in non-conference play, Hillsdale’s program is now ranked at No. 18.
 
The Chargers are now 9-2 overall getting ready for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference schedule that starts on Friday.
 
Hillsdale beat Seton Hill and UIndy in the past week while suffering a four-set loss against Illinois Springfield. HC started the year with seven wins in its first eight matches.
 
Hillsdale is a strongly considered as favorites to make it three straight titles during the regular season. The Chargers topped the conference preseason coaches poll and have won back-to-back Great Midwest tournament trophies.
 
The Chargers have also represented the conference at the NCAA Midwest Regional for the past two seasons.
 
Junior middle blocker Allyssa Van Wienen continues to campaign early for player of the year candidacy, earning offensive player of the week awards three consecutive times to start the fall.
 
Van Wienen has also been selected as the Sports Imports / AVCA National Player of the Week and junior libero Taylor Wiese grabbed conference defensive weekly honors in Week 2.