2026 Big Ten Volleyball Power Rankings: Week 2 After B1G-SEC Challenge

The Big Ten made a statement in the Big Ten/SEC Challenge. Here’s where every team stands in the Week 2 2026 Big Ten volleyball power rankings.

Sep 6, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; A general wide view during the third set in a match between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Week two of NCAA college volleyball in the Big Ten primarily featured the Big Ten/SEC Challenge. Almost every team played at least one SEC opponent (take a moment for all the Nebraska fans who filled up Wrigley Field to only see 18 points played against Missouri).

The Big Ten came out ahead of their conference counterparts, winning the challenge 16-13.

Clear tiers are forming in the Big Ten, particularly with teams 3-6, 7-12, and 13-18. I used volleyball statistics (from the NCAA and Evollve.net) and an eye test to rank all 18 teams after their second week of play (through August 6, 2026).

No. 1: Nebraska Cornhuskers (AVCA No. 1; 4-0)

Sep 6, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers middle blocker Manaia Ogbechie (14) spikes the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the first set at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Previous Position: No. 1 (no change)
Last week: 3-0 vs. South Dakota State, 3-0 vs. DePaul, Missouri game suspended

Nebraska has yet to drop a set and has yet to allow an opponent to score more than 20 points. This season, they side out at an average of 72.1 percent, including 74.5 percent and 81.6 percent in their games this past week, meaning they rarely let their opponents go on runs.

NU is hitting .323 for the season and .343 over the last week. Defensively, the Huskers continue to dominate, averaging 10.25 blocks and 30 digs per game.

The Huskers will need to continue sweeping and dominating opponents through their non-con but for now, their place atop the conference feels safe for a while.

Up Next: New Mexico, No. 20 Baylor, Georgia Tech (RV)

No. 2: Wisconsin Badgers (AVCA No. 6; 3-3)

Dec 18, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Kelly Sheffield talks to his players during a timeout in the third set against the Kentucky Wildcats in a 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship semifinal match at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Previous Position: No. 2 (no change)
Last week: 3-2 vs. No. 10 Florida, 3-0 vs. Auburn

Wisconsin held off Florida at home for their 2nd-ranked win of the season. The Badgers needed a big win during the Big Ten/SEC Challenge, and they got it in their home opener against the Gators. In their wins, the Badgers hit above .250 and side out at a 60 percent or greater rate, so they’ll have to aim for high offensive efficiency, especially as their gauntlet of non-conference games continues.

The Badgers bought themselves some breathing room this week with a top-10 win, and their next (and final) two ranked non-conference opponents have struggled over the last few weeks. If Wisconsin could beat both, they’ll solidify themselves in the top 2. If not, they’ll be at the mercy of the rest of the Big Ten’s performances.

Up Next: No. 19 Texas A&M, No. 9 Texas

No. 3: Minnesota Golden Gophers (AVCA No. 13, 2-2)

Previous Position: No. 4 (+1)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. No. 10 Florida, 3-1 vs. Auburn

Minnesota 's offense has consistently remained their strength over the last two games: .274 vs. Florida and .268 vs Auburn, with Stella Swensen getting nearly 80 assists on the weekend. In their win over Auburn, the Gophers had 10 service aces to 10 service errors, a vast improvement from their 4:14 ratio versus Florida. Not getting swept by either team is ultimately what kept Minnesota ahead of their counterparts.

The Gophers will need to see continued success from Mckenna Wucherer (outside hitter), back from her season-ending injury in 2025, and increased pressure on their opponents they close out their non-conference schedule.

Up Next: Miami (FL), St. Thomas

No. 4: USC Trojans (AVCA No. 16, 2-2)

Previous Position: No. 3 (-1)
Last Week: 0-3 vs No. 9 Texas, 3-0 vs. San Diego

USC and Minnesota swapped places this week because even though both teams lost to their ranked SEC opponent, USC got swept and didn’t even look competitive against a struggling Texas team. The Trojans hit .135 against the Longhorns, the 3rd-best opponent hitting percentage of the season, but allowed Texas to hit .309, which is their best by a lot (second best is .258). USC bounced back with a sweep over San Diego, but did not dominate as fans may have expected or hoped.

The Trojans have another opportunity for a ranked win this weekend if they can tighten up their defense.

Up Next: Arizona, No. 23 Colorado, Oregon State

No. 5: Purdue Boilermakers (AVCA No. 14, 2-2)

Mackey Arena was the venue for the NCAA volleyball match between the Washington Huskies at the Purdue Boilermakers, Thursday, Sep. 25, 2025, at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue won 3-0 in straight sets. / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Previous Position: No. 5 (same)
Last Week: 3-0 vs. No. 19 Texas A&M, 3-2 vs. Georgia, 0-3 vs No. 11 TCU

Purdue started the week strong with a sweep over the reigning National Champions and a surprisingly nail-biting 3-2 win over Georgia, but then looked completely lost against TCU. Newcomers Addy Tindall (a redshirt freshman outside hitter) and Kate Hanson (transfer senior middle blocker) continue to shine for the Boilermakers, both hitting over .300 on the season.

Getting Grace Heaney back has been big for the Boilermakers. Even though she’s been a little slow getting back to her 2025 level offensively, Purdue wins 86% of their points when Heaney has a reception, the highest of any player in the country.

TCU exposed Purdue’s serve-receive weaknesses, shut down their offense early, and Becca Kelly carved through their defense with ease. Purdue will face more teams with high-powered offenses and will need to adjust their defense if they want to stay in the top 5.

Up Next: IU Indy, Houston, No. 8 SMU or No. 2 Kentucky

No 6: Indiana Hoosiers (2-2, AVCA No. 21)

Previous Position: No. 7(+1)
Last Week: 3-1 vs Georgia, 3-2 vs. No. 19 Texas A&M; 0-3 vs No. 17 Tennessee
Up Next: Southern Indiana, Cal Poly (RV), Eastern Illinois

No 7: Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1, AVCA No.12)

Previous Position: No. 6 (-1)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. No. 3 Kentucky
Up Next: DePaul, No. 4 Stanford, Ohio

No 8: Oregon Ducks (5-0, AVCA No. 24)

Previous Position: No. 8 (same)
Last Week: 3-1 vs. Missouri, 3-0 vs. Long Island University, 3-1 vs. Washington State
Up Next: No. 7 Arizona State, UC Davis, San Diego

No 9: Washington Huskies (5-0)

Previous Position: No. 11 (+2)
Last Week: 3-2 vs. Ole Miss, 3-1 vs. Oklahoma
Up Next: Lipscomb, Washington State

No 10: Michigan State Spartans (5-0)

Previous Position: No. 12 (+2)
Last Week: 3-0 vs. LSU, 3-0 vs. South Carolina, 3-0 vs. Central Michigan
Up Next: Western Michigan, Cincinnati, Morehead State

No 11: UCLA Bruins (4-1, RV)

Previous Position: No. 9 (-2)
Last Week: 0-3 vs. No. 3 Kentucky, 3-0 vs Miami (FL), 3-0 vs. Miami (FL)
Up Next: Utah State, No. 25 BYU, Utah

No 12: Michigan Wolverines (5-1, RV)

Previous Position: No. 10 (-2)
Last Week: 2-3 vs. South Carolina, 3-1 vs. LSU, 3-0 vs. Cincinnati, 3-1 vs. Valparaiso
Up Next: No. 11 TCU, South Florida

No 13: Illinois Fighting Illini (3-2)

Previous Position: No. 13 (same)
Last Week: 0-3 vs. Tennessee, 3-0 vs. McNeese, 3-0 vs. Rice
Up Next: Lindenwood, Marquette (x2)

No 14: Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2)

Previous Position: No. 14 (same)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. Mississippi State; 1-3 vs. Alabama
Up Next: Iowa State (RV), Southern Illinois, Incarnate World, Missouri State

No 15: Maryland Terrapins (3-1)

Previous Position: No. 16 (+1)
Last Week: 0-3 vs. Vanderbilt, 3-1 vs. Arkansas, 3-0 vs. UMES
Up Next: George Mason, Seton Hall, Princeton, Saint Peter’s

No 16: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-2)

Previous Position: No. 18 (+2)
Last Week: 3-0 vs. Arkansas, 1-3 vs. Vanderbilt
Up Next: Long Island University, Stony Brook, Delaware, Rider

No 17: Northwestern Wildcats (2-3)

Previous Position: No. 17 (same)
Last Week: 3-1 vs. Alabama, 1-3 v. Mississippi State
Up Next: Butler, Virginia Tech, Long Island University, Green Bay

No 18: Ohio State Buckeyes (2-3)

Previous Position: No. 15 (-3)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. Ole Miss, 2-3 vs. Oklahoma
Up Next: Winthrop, Southern Indiana, Youngstown State