Team (regional record)

Concordia (10-0)

Central-Iowa (14-2)

Washington (Mo.) (9-1)

Carleton (12-2)

Saint Mary's (15-5)

St. Benedict (8-2)

Gustavus (9-5)

Simpson (9-8)

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University volleyball team, in the thick of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular-season title chase, is ranked No. 5 in the first NCAA Division III Central Region poll, it was announced Friday.

The Cardinals have won four straight and are sitting at 17-5 overall with eight matches remaining — including a huge showdown with Carleton at home next Wednesday.

League-leading Concordia, winners of 19 straight since a season-opening 3-2 loss to MSU-Moorhead, is the region's top team, followed by Central-Iowa, Washington (Mo.) University, Carleton and Saint Mary's. St. Benedict is No. 6. Gustavus and Simpson rounded out the top eight.