By Tyler McDonough | Senior Sports Reporter

For the first time since 1989 the A&M-Commerce Lions Volleyball team is nationally ranked. The Lions are ranked no. 17 in the nation after the latest American Volleyball Coaches of America poll was released on Monday.

The Lions made a lot of noise and impressed voters after they took down three top-10 teams last week at the Colorado Premier Challenge. The Lions took down the No. 2 ranked team in the nation Concordia-St. Paul, then proceeded to defeat No. 3 ranked Lewis, and finished off the tournament with a win against No. ranked Regis. The Lions also defeated No. 18 Central Oklahoma earlier in the year.

“They truly earned this national ranking.” Head Coach Craig Case said, “Now we have to get back to work and continue to get better.”
The highest the Lions have ever been ranked in team history is No. 5 in the nation by the AVCA poll in 1987.

The Lions hold the highest ranking in the Lone Star Conference. Tarleton State is ranked No. 24 in the AVCA poll. The Lions and TexAnns will face off this Saturday in Stephenville.