Women grab No. 1 spot in polls

By Ben Miller

Oct 5, 2004, 12:00 AM

Washington volleyball is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in the program's history. The Huskies (12-0 overall, 4-0 Pac-10) swept Oregon and Oregon State last weekend, while previous No. 1, Minnesota, fell to Ohio State. The Golden Gopher loss enabled Washington to have its first No. 1 team since men's crew in 2002. The UW received 61 of 65 first place votes in the USA Today/CSTV Top 25 poll. "[Being ranked number one] is nice, there's recognition and there is some meaning in it, but the true meaning comes in continuing to work hard and improve," said coach Jim McLaughlin. "We just have to take care of business one day at a time, and if we do that, this team has a chance." Before this season, the highest ranking for the Huskies was ninth, in both 1998 and 2003. The team entered the year at seventh and steadily climbed up the rankings. Junior outside hitter Brie Hagerty said ranking has not been on the mind of the squad. "We don't want to worry about the rankings and put pressure on ourselves about that," she said. "We just want to play everyday and do what we need to do, and the result will be there regardless." Washington is one of only four undefeated teams left in the country. The Huskies' 12 straight wins to open the season is the University's best since the 1977 squad began the year with 21 consecutive wins. The UW finishes its three-game Pac-10 homestand Friday against Washington State.

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