(photo of Alexandria Parisian courtesy of Rick Ogata)

UH Hilo has cracked the Top 25 national rankings and will host their final matches of the 2021 spring season this weekend.

The Vulcans check in at No. 25 in this week's AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Volleyball Poll. It's likely UHH's first national ranking since 2010. Even during their 23-8 NCAA tournament run in 2019, they never made the top 25.

"It's a testament to our program growing and gaining respect," said Vulcan head coach Chris Leonard. "We have played well this spring and are looking to use this as a springboard to Fall of 2021."

UH Hilo is the only team in the west region to be nationally ranked. Angelo State TX (22-2) is No. 1, followed by Oklahoma Baptist (18-0), Colorado Mesa (15-1), Metro State-Denver (15-2) and Tampa FL (13-2). Alaska Anchorage and Western Washington are among others receiving votes. 

The final spring poll will be next week, April 28. There is no postseason play this spring for NCAA Division II volleyball.

The Vulcans are 11-1 and have won nine straight matches heading into their final tournament of the season this weekend. For the fourth tournament in a row, they will face island rivals Hawaii Pacific and Chaminade again, but this time another west coast power will visit--The University of Alaska Anchorage will be in town.

The Seawolves are currently 9-1, having logged victories over fellow Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponents Saint Martin's, Seattle Pacific, Alaska and Central Washington. Their only loss as been to Alaska, but they also have three victories over the Nanooks. 

UAA went 23-7 in their last full season (2019), defeating UC San Diego at the regional tournament before falling to eventual national champion Cal State San Bernardino in the semfinals. 

The 11-1 Vulcans play the 9-1 Seawolves to open the PacWest #4 tournament on Friday morning at 10 am. The Vulcans will also play Chaminade at 7 pm on Friday, followed by another match-up with  UAA on Saturday at 7 pm and a Sunday bout versus Hawaii Pacific at 1 pm.

For a look at the complete schedule and video stream information, click here.