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Big Ten Power Rankings Week 10: Nebraska and Wisconsin Hold On While Minnesota and Penn State Make Late Pushes

Volleyball in the Big Ten is never without exciting matches, standout stars, and surprising results. As the regular season begins to wind down, find out where each team falls in the power rankings.
Abbie Harris|
Minnesota Gophers' Elena Hoecke (17) and Zeynep Palabiyik celebrate during win over USC Trojans on Nov 1, 2026 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA
Minnesota Gophers' Elena Hoecke (17) and Zeynep Palabiyik celebrate during win over USC Trojans on Nov 1, 2026 at Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA | Minnesota Athletics

As we near the end of the regular season, teams are fighting harder than ever for their respective places in the Big Ten Tournament.

The fourth double-bye looks to be coming down to a couple of teams, the single-bye to a handful more, and at the bottom, five teams are fighting for the final three opportunities to even play in the tournament.

The Big Ten continues to show its depth and parity, with 12 teams ranked or receiving votes in the latest AVCA poll and 12 in ESPN's first Tournament Bracketology.

This week, seven of the 18 teams went 2-0 against their opponents and only one (Oregon) didn't drop a single set. Nebraska was forced to overcome early adversity in both matches. Four teams played five-setters, including one highly emotional reverse sweep.

No. 18. Northwestern Wildcats (7-16, 0-12, Big Ten No. 18)

Previous Position: No. 18 (No Change)
Last Week: 2-3 vs. Illinois (RV), 2-3 vs, Rutgers

This is the third time this season Northwestern has gotten close to winning their first Big Ten game. Their match against Rutgers was, statistically, a match they should have won, since they outscored Rutgers by 16 points across the five sets (23-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-16, 15-12).

Against Illinois, the Wildcats put up a season-high 14 blocks, led by Maya Stillwell (8) and Campbell Paris (6). Isabella Bullington had a double-double with a match-high 18 kills and 10 digs then improved that stat by one kill (19 kills, 10 digs) against Rutgers. Paris joined her with 19 kills and a team-high .326 hitting percentage. Libero Lauren Dignan had 17 digs in each of the two matches this weekend.

Next Week: No. 18 Washington, No. 12 Oregon

No. 17 Maryland Terrapins (12-11, 2-10, Big Ten No. 15)

Previous Position: 17 (No Change)
Last Week: 0-3 vs. No. 12 Oregon, 1-3 vs. No. 18 Washington

Going coast to coast in any conference is difficult but when you add in playing two top 20 teams and the odds just dropped for Maryland. They played Washington exceptionally close on their second day of the Pacific Northwest trip, stealing the first set and pushing two sets into extra points.

Against Oregon, Maryland's Sydney Bryant led with 11 kills and Duru Gokcen and Eva Rohrbach combined for 9 blocks. Brooklynne Brass led the Terrapins against the Huskies with 16 kills and 10 digs with Ava Brown and Bryant both contributed 14 kills each of their own. As a team, Maryland had a season-high eight aces.

Next Week: USC, Michigan

No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-12, 3-9, Big Ten No. 14)

Previous Position: 15 (-1)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. No. 11 Penn State, 0-3 vs. Illinois (RV)

Ohio State's volleyball season feels like it can be described as letting opportunities slip out of their fingers. This past weekend, they started both matches strong but could only close out a single set.

Naomy Govu, Kalli Jioshvili-Ravva, and Hannah Jones led the Buckeyes all weekend. Govu and Jioshvili-Ravva both had 12 kills against Penn State and 8 against Illinois. Jones joined the party with 11 kills against the Nittany Lions and 8 against the Fighting Illini.

Up Next: No. 14 Purdue, Michigan State (RV)

No. 15 Rutgers Scarlett Knights (11-13, 2-10, Big Ten No. 17)

Previous Position: 16 (+1)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. No. 14 Purdue, 3-2 vs. Northwestern

A win is a win. But man, when you barely beat Northwestern, who has not won a single Big Ten game all season, it's hard to celebrate too hard. To give Rutgers credit, I think they've been playing significantly better this season than their record suggests but this was a rough week, even when it comes with a win.

Over the weekend, the Scarlett Knights were led by Malia Romes, Skyer George, and Avery Jesewitz. Romes, had 22 kills against Northwestern, seven kills against Purdue, and seven blocks across the weekend. George led the team in kills against the Boilermakers (12) and was second on the team against the Wildcats (15) and first in digs (16). Jesewitz set a season-high record of 10 kills against Northwestern and four blocks against Purdue.

Up Next: Michigan, USC

No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes (13-13, 3-10, Big Ten No. 16)

Previous Position: 14 (No Change)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. Washington, 0-3 vs. Oregon

Yes, technically Rutgers had a better week than Iowa. But barely beating Northwestern wasn't enough to move up multiple spots which is why Iowa stays firm at 14. I have them higher than the Big Ten ranking and they probably should be below Ohio State and Maryland since Iowa lost to them. Which may be where they end up at the end of the season.

Iowa's offense was on fire versus Washington, with Rose Vesty tied for most kills of the match with 15 and Jenna Meitzler leading the court with 44 assists. And their defense stepped up against Oregon, leading both teams in both blocks by Liv Mogridge (7) and digs by Allison Berent (12).

Up Next: No. 21 Indiana, No. 19 Minnesota

No. 13 USC Trojans (9-13, 3-9, Big Ten No. 13)

Previous Position: No. 13 (No Change)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. No. 8 Wisconsin, 0-3 vs. No. 19 Minnesota

There probably is no team that has quite underperformed this season more than USC. They had a difficult weekend against two ranked teams but to only win a single set is just disappointing given their pre-season expectations.

Abigail Mullen and Mia Tvrdy were the two consistent standouts for the Trojans this weekend. Mullen tallied 12 kills, five digs, one block and an ace against Wisconsin and 16 kills, six digs, two blocks, and an ace against Minnesota. Tvrdy had six kills in each game, six blocks and three aces across the weekend.

Up Next: Maryland, Rutgers

No. 12 UCLA Bruins (14-8, 6-6, AVCA RV, Big Ten No. 10)

Previous Position: 12 (No Change)
Last Week: 2-3 vs. 19 Minnesota, 0-3 vs. No. 8 Wisconsin

UCLA and USC had similar weekends. And I went back and forth between if winning a set off of a better Wisconsin was more impressive and if it was impressive enough to swap the teams who, ultimately, ended up with the same record. You can see the result.

Marianna Singletary had double-digit kills in each game (13 and 10) and libero Kat Lutz (in for the injured Lola Schumacher) had 30 digs between the two matches (19 and 11). Singletary and Eliana Urzua were the only two players to score double digit points in each game, 18 and 11 for Singletary and 16 and 10.5 for Urzua.

Next Week: Illinois (RV), No. 14 Purdue

No. 11 Indiana Hoosiers (13-9, 5-7, AVCA No. 21, Big Ten No. 11)

Previous Position: 11 (No Change)
Last Week: 3-2 vs. Michigan State (RV), 1-3 vs. Michigan

What an up and down weekend for Indiana, from a dramatic reverse sweep over Michigan State to a confusing loss against Michigan. Which is kind of what Indiana's season has looked like. They've got some impressive wins on their schedule but then will let themselves down with disappointing losses.

The Hoosiers have consistently been led by the trio of Avry Tatum, Jaidyn Jager, and Kiki Granberry and this weekend was no different. Against Michigan State, the three logged 15, 14, and 10 kills, respectively. Granberry and Tatum added 15 blocks between them. In the Michigan game, they had 13, 10, and 10 kills, respectively, with Granberry once again putting up a team-high 5 blocks.

Next Week: Iowa, Illinois (RV)

No. 10 Michigan Wolverines (13-8, 6-6, AVCA RV, Big Ten No. 12)

Previous Position: No. 10 (No Change)
Last Week: 1-3 vs. No. 1 Nebraska, 3-1 vs. No. 21 Indiana

For the last four matches, Michigan has taken a 1-0 lead. Against No. 8 Wisconsin and No. 1 Nebraska, the Wolverines were unable to capitolize on their early momentum. But it all clicked for them against the No. 21 Indiana Hoosiers for Michigan's first ranked win of the season.

Michigan's Ella Demetrician and Cymarah Gordon led both offensive onslaughts, with 21 and 16 kills each against Nebraska's (with exceptional efficiencies of .302 and .357) daunted defense, and 20 and 16 kills each against Indiana. Setters Morgan Burke and Camille Edwards combined for 45 and 54 assists in the matches, leading their teams to a .289 and .358 hitting percentage.

Up Next: Rutgers, Maryland

No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (16-7, 8-4, AVCA RV, Big Ten No. 7)

Previous Position: 8 (-1)
Last Week: 3-2 vs. Northwestern, 3-1 vs. Ohio State

Illinois didn't drop in the rankings because of a loss but because another team vaulted over them. And because they neede five sets to beat the 18th team in an 18-team conference. It would be different if that 18th team had been competitive or wasn't winless but as good as Illinois has shown they can play this season, this match against Northwestern just wasn't enough to overcome others.

Illinois has continued to be led by Paityn Chapman who had 14 kills, two aces, and 20 digs against Northwestern and nine kills, two aces, and eight digs against Ohio State.

Up Next: UCLA (RV), No. 21 Indiana

No. 8 Purdue Boilermakers (14-7, 7-5, AVCA No. 14, Big Ten No. 8)

Previous Position: 7 (-1)
Last Week: 3-1 vs. Rutgers, 1-3 vs. No. 11 Penn State

Add Purdue to the list of Big Ten teams that just haven't been able to consistently find their footing this season. When they are at their best, they look like a team that can beat almost anyone. But other times they are seemingly easy to fluster and get out of sync.

Up until now, every team this weekend has had at least one player who was consistently at the top of the box stats. Against Rutgers, Mimi Mambu led both teams with her 13 kills and underrated (in my opinion) libero Ryan McAleer cleaned up a match-high 12 digs. Against Penn State, on the other hand, freshman phenom Addy Tindall led the team with 16 kills and it was defensive specialist MaryKate Scheumann who led the match with 14 digs.

Up Next: Ohio State, UCLA (RV)

No. 7 Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-6, 8-4, AVCA No. 19, Big Ten No. 6)

Previous Position: 9 (+2)
Last Week: 3-2 vs. UCLA (RV), 3-0 vs. USC

Minnesota went out to California and brough back two big and needed wins. The Gophers have struggled at times this season but seem to be coming together at the right time in the season to make a deep post-season push.

In absolutely no shock to anyone who has been following Big Ten volleyball, Minnesota was led by the ultimate Swiss-Army Knife McKenna Wucherer's 37 kills, 5 aces, and 7 blocks across the weekend. Joining her are Carly Gilk who had 28 kills and Makenna Crosson who had 16 kills and Zeynep Palabigik who had 31 on the weekend.

Up Next: No. 11 Penn State, Iowa

No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (17-5, 7-5, AVCA RV, Big Ten No. 9)

Previous Position: No. 5 (-1)
Last Week: 2-3 vs. No. 21 Indiana, 1-3 vs. No. 1 Nebraska

It was a weekend of emotional highs and lows for Michigan State as they were reverse swept by Indiana at home and then failed to capitalize on the early momentum from their match against a flat Nebraska.

Standout Spartans from the weekend include Alanna Bankston's 21 kills, Madi Andrews' 8 aces, and Breccan Scheck's 9 blocks. Setter Malayah Long had 62 assists on the weekend and guided her teams to some extraordinary sets, including a .375 in the first against Nebraska and a .524 in the second against Indiana.

Up Next: No. 8 Wisconsin, Ohio State

No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions (17-5, 9-3, AVCA No. 11, Big Ten No. 4)

Previous Position: No. 6 (+1)
Last Week: 3-1 vs. Ohio State, 3-1 vs. No. 14 Purdue

Penn State is another team in the Big Ten that seems to be gelling together at the perfect time. The Nittany Lions have gone 8-2 over the last ten matches that includes beating four ranked teams.

Led by Big Ten Player of the Week Kennedy Martin's 42 kills (averaging 5.25 a set), setter Alexis Stucky used 87 assists to guide the team to a .295 and .205 hitting efficiency on the weekend. Middles Gabrielle Nichols and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Kendall Northern led the matches with 9 and 7 blocks, respectively.

Up Next: No. 19 Minnesota, No. 8 Wisconsin

No. 4 Washington Huskies (17-4, 8-4, AVCA No. 12, Big Ten No. 5)

Previous Position: No. 4 (No Change)
Last Week: 3-1 vs. Iowa, 3-1 vs. Maryland

Two weeks ago, Washington won big against no. 8 Wisconsin then fell hard to No. 19 Minnesota. But the Huskies bounced back nicely and took care of Iowa and Maryland at the start of a two weekend homestead.

Simona Mateska continued her dominant presence at the net with a combined 27 kills. Sammy Destler joins Mateska with double-digit kills in each of the matches, totalling 34 kills. Julia Hunt added seven aces, 10 blocks, and three assists. Another underrated libero, Kaityln Nguyen led both matches in digs (10 and 18).

Up Next: Northwestern, No. 1 Nebraska

No. 3 Oregon Ducks (19-3, 10-2, AVCA No. 12, Big Ten No. 2)

Previous Position: No. 3 (No Change)
Last Week: 3-0 vs. Maryland, 3-0 vs. Iowa

Coming off a disappointing and surprising loss to Penn State, the Ducks set a new season best by getting their fist and second conference sweeps of the season over Maryland and Iowa to remain undefeated at home.

Alanah Clemente, Valentina Vaulet, and Sjakkie Donkers led the way in both matches, putting up a combined 32, 17, and 17 kills. Vaulet added three aces. And Marina Crownover contributed with two aces, five blocks, 15 digs, and 77 assts (leading the team to a .294 and .299 hitting percentage).

Up Next: No. 1 Nebraska, Northwestern

No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers (16-6, 10-2, AVCA No. 8, Big Ten No. 3)

Previous Position: 2 (No Change)
Last Week: 3-1 vs. USC, 3-0 vs. UCLA (RV)

Wisconsin went 2-0 on the weekend but it wasn't without it's share of spookiness, particularly against USC, which saw the Badgers dropping a set and fighting to close out the match.

Big Ten Freshman of the Week, Decelise Champion led both teams in both matches with 21 and 15 kills. Fellow star freshman, Audrey Flanagan held her own with 18 kills. The freshman pins combined for 15 digs. Setter Charlie Fuerbringer continued her excellent season with 86 assists and team hitting efficiencies of .363 and .354.

Up Next: Michigan State (RV), No. 11 Penn State

No. 1 Nebraska Cornhuskers (23-0, 13-0, AVCA No. 1, Big Ten No. 1)

Previous Position: No. 1 (No Change)
Last Week: 3-1 vs. Michigan, 3-1 vs. Michigan State (RV)

For the first time in conference play, Nebraska's slow start to a match cost them the opening set in both games this weekend. They allowed a season high .465 opponent hitting percentage in the first set of the Michigan game and a season high .289 overall opponent hitting percentage against Michgan.

Harper Murray, Andi Jackson and Manaia Ogbechie led the teams in kills (28, 25, and 22) with Ogbechie comitting only one hitting error across the weekend. Libero Olivia Mauch tallied 12 digs each match and Ogbechie led both games in blocks (4 and 8). Big Ten Setter of the Week, Bergen Reilly helped her team overcome the first set woes with 103 assists and .412 and .340 hitting efficiencies.

Up Next: No. 12 Oregon, No. 18 Washington

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Abbie Harris
ABBIE HARRIS

Abbie Harris has been talking about women's sports to anyone who would listen, and sometimes to those who wouldn't, for as long as she can remember. She has been the host of a weekly Nebraska women's sports podcast for over a year, primarily covering volleyball, women's basketball, and softball. Harris holds three degrees, including a Ph.D. from Saint Louis.

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