Few Changes In Women’s Division I College Coaches’ Poll to Start 2014

PHOENIX, Arizona, January 16. THE first set of rankings for 2014 in the College Swim Coaches Association of America’s poll of the top 25 Division I women’s swimming and diving teams showed very little movement. The California Golden Bears remain at the top of the list, with some minor shuffling in the list after some close dual meets last week.

The goal of the CSCAA rankings committee is to produce an in-season poll of the 25 best-performing teams in rank order at the time of each poll. The poll is not designed to predict the results of the NCAA Championship, but rather which teams would win head-to-head against other teams in the country.

Specifically, the poll committee does not differentiate between the types of meets, or the status of a specific team in terms of rested versus unrested, when considering votes. Further, rankings are only based on performances that have taken place up to that point in the season, with an emphasis on action from the previous poll.

Swimming World has been invited as a media member to participate in the polling process, and has a vote in each poll. Jeff Commings serves as Swimming World’s representative on these weekly conference calls.

1. California (4-0, 2-0 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 1

Results
W at Oregon State (9/27), 161-95
W vs. Washington State (10/4), 164-89
W vs. Florida (10/19-20), 238-210
W vs. Wisconsin (11/1), 163-111
UNLV Fall Invitational (11/21-23)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: January 24 vs. Arizona State

2. Texas A&M (5-0-1, 2-0-1 SEC)
Previous rank: 2

Results
W at Vanderbilt (10/12), 154.5-98.5
W vs. Texas (10/18), 152-148
W at Missouri (11/1), 159-118
Art Adamson Invitational (11/21-23)

Since last poll:
W vs. Rice (12/20), 158-96
Tie vs. Georgia (1/10), 150-150
W vs. SMU (1/11), 174-110

Next competition: Today vs. Houston

The tie with Georgia last week provided the Aggies with another exciting dual-meet finish, and they manage to stay in the No. 2 spot.

3. Georgia (8-0-1, 3-0-1 SEC)
Previous rank: 4

Results
W vs. Kentucky (9/25), 165-98
W vs. Wisconsin (10/4-5), 182-136
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/15), 187-88
W at LSU (10/18), 170.5-118.5
W at Florida (11/7), 162-138
W vs. Emory (11/15), 137-73
Auburn Invitational (11/22-24)

Since last poll:
W vs North Carolina State (1/4), 186-113
Tie at Texas A&M (1/10), 150-150
W at Texas (1/11),

Next competition: January 25 vs. Tennessee

A win over Texas and a tie with higher-ranked Texas A&M helped the Bulldogs move up a spot in the new poll. Laura Ryan helped Georgia in both of those meets, sweeping the springboard events. Melanie Margalis was another key player with multiple victories.

4. Stanford (5-0, 2-0 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 3

Results
W vs. San Jose State (9/26), 138-100
W vs. Washington State (10/3), 147-104
W at Oregon State (10-25), 170-88
W vs. Wisconsin (11/2), 201-85
Art Adamson Invitational (11/21-23)

Since last poll:
W at Texas (1/4), 154-146

Next competition: January 24 vs. Arizona

Stanford survived a close call against the Longhorns on the road, maintaining their perfect season. Multiple wins by Felicia Lee, Andie Taylor and Maya DiRado – as well as the deciding 400 free relay – helped greatly in the point totals.

5. Southern California (3-0, 3-0 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 5 (tie)

Results
W at Washington State (10/18), 146-116
SMU Classic (10/18-19), first place
W at Arizona State (11/8), 167-128
W at Arizona (11/9), 167-133
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
W vs. Utah (1/10), 119-91
W vs. Wisconsin (1/11), 154-103

Next competition: January 31 vs. California

Most of the top swimmers for USC swam off events in both dual meets against Utah and Wisconsin, which kept USC from moving up in the poll as a few teams above them had tougher meets last weekend.

6. Texas (7-1, 1-0 Big 12)
Previous rank: 8

Results
W vs. Rice (10/11), 149-99
W vs. North Carolina (10/17), 171-129
L at Texas A&M (10/18), 152-148
W at Indiana (10/25) 155-141
W vs. Michigan (at Indiana) (10/25), 210-90
W at Virginia (11/8-9), 196-157
W vs. Penn State (at Virginia) (11/8-9), 242-111
W vs. West Virginia (at Virginia) (11/8-9), 297-41
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
L vs. Stanford (1/4), 154-146
W vs. Auburn (1/9), 168.5-129.5
L vs. Georgia (1/11), 157.5-142.5

Next competition: January 24 vs. TCU

The Longhorns faced three very tough teams in the span of a week, and though they added two losses to their record, the team had some impressive performances and showed off a great deal of depth that helped keep the meets close.

7. North Carolina (7-1, 1-0 ACC)
Previous rank: 9

Results
W at Virginia Tech (10/11), 233-120
W vs. Radford (at Virginia Tech) (10/11), 289-55
W vs. Liberty (at Virginia Tech) (10/11), 262-87
W vs. James Madison (at Virginia Tech) (10/11), 272.5-80.5
L at Texas (10/17), 171-129
W at TCU (10/18), 200-97
SMU Classic (10/18-19), third place
W vs Louisville (11/1-2), 213-140
Dowd Nike Cup (11/21-23)

Since last poll:
W vs. Navy (1/11), 194-97

Next competition: January 25 vs. Virginia

The Tar Heels won all 16 events in their rout of Navy, with athletes racing for the first time after holiday training.

8. Florida (3-2, 2-1 SEC)
Previous rank: 5 (tie)

Results
All-Florida Invite (9/27-29), first place
W at Missouri (10/17), 181-109
L at California (10/19-20), 238-210
L vs. Georgia (11/1), 162-138
W vs. Alabama (11/7), 179-113
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)

Since last poll:
W vs. Florida State (1/4), 153-147

Next competition: Saturday vs. Florida Atlantic

A small bout of the flu kept the Gators from producing better swims, but they did what was needed against Florida State to start 2014 with a dual meet win.

9. Virginia (4-1, 0-0 ACC)
Previous rank: 7

Results
W at Navy (10/25), 250-50
W vs. Yale (at Navy) (10/25), 237-63
L vs. Texas (11/8-9), 196-157
W vs. Penn State (11/8-9), 226-127
W vs. West Virginia (11/8-9), 288-50
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: Friday vs. Miami, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin

10. Arizona (7-1, 3-1 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 10

Results
W at Utah (10/19), 204-96
W vs. UNLV (10/25), 183-109
W vs. UCLA (11/8), 151-149
L vs. USC (11/9), 167-133
W vs. Boise State (11/23) 172-106
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
W vs. Oregon State (1/3), 195-91
W vs. New Mexico State (1/3), 202-92
W vs. Northern Arizona (1/3), 188-107

Next competition: January 24 vs. Stanford

A rather easy quad meet against teams visiting Tucson for holiday training didn’t impress the coaches in the poll, but next week’s Bay Area contests against Stanford and California will be a major test for the Wildcats to see if they can remain in the top 10.

11. Indiana (3-3, 1-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 11

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11), third place
W at Notre Dame (10/12), 155-145
L vs. Auburn (at Notre Dame) (10/12), 180-120
SMU Classic (10/18-19), second place
W vs. Michigan (10/25), 181-119
L vs. Texas (10/25), 158.5-141.5
L vs. Tennessee (11/1), 171-123
W vs. Kentucky (11/1), 199-95
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
Idle

Next competition: Friday vs. Missouri and Illinois at Iowa

12. Auburn (3-0, 1-0 SEC)
Previous rank: 14

Results
W at Vanderbilt (9/27), 158-44
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11), first place
W at Notre Dame (10/12), 180-120
W vs. Indiana (at Notre Dame) (10/12), 180-120
Royals Invite (10/25), unscored
Auburn Invitational (11/22-24)

Since last poll:
L at Texas (1/9), 168.5-129.5

Next competition: January 25 at Florida

A loss to Texas didn’t seem to hurt Auburn’s chances of getting closer to the top 10.

13. Minnesota (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 12

Results
W vs. Arizona State (10/5), 197-94
W vs. Michigan (10/11), 174.5-125.5
W at Wisconsin (10/18-19), 218-152
W at Iowa (11/1), 194-101
W at North Dakota (11/9), 179-114
Minneapolis Grand Prix (11/14-16)
Jean Freeman Invite (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
W at Hawaii (1/11), 164-95

Next competition: January 24-25 vs. North Carolina State

The end of an annual training trip to Hawaii resulted in another win for the Golden Gophers, featuring a sweep of the breaststrokes by USA Swimming national champion Kierra Smith.

14. Louisville (4-2, 2-0 American)
Previous rank: 13

Results
W vs. Xavier (10/11), 189-70
SMU Classic (10/18-19), third place
L vs. Tennessee (10/24), 170-130
L at North Carolina (11/1), 213-140
Michigan Invitational (11/22-24)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
W vs. Georgia Tech (1/4), 202-60
W vs. Cincinnati (1/11), 211-84
W vs. Houston (1/11), 210-85

Next competition: Saturday vs. Notre Dame

A trio of dual-meet victories helped Louisville get back on the positive side of meet wins, and stay in the top 15 of the rankings.

15. Tennessee (7-0, 2-0 SEC)
Previous rank: 15

Results
W at UNC-Wilmington (9/27), 178-116
W vs. South Carolina (10/18), 169-124
W at Louisville (10/24), 170-130
W at Indiana (11/1), 171-123
W vs. Kentucky (at Indiana) (11/1), 214-84
Georgia Tech Invitational (11/22-24)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
W vs. Virginia Tech (1/11), 192-108
W vs. Missouri (1/11), 192.5-106.5

Next competition: January 25 at Georgia

Tennessee’s perfect season – and their place in the top 15 – will be put on the line next week when they face Georgia in Athens.

16. UCLA (5-1, 2-1 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 16

Results
W at San Diego (10/19), 184.5-101.5
W vs. Santa Barbara (11/1), 198-99
W vs. Oregon State (11/1), 179-77
W vs. Florida Gulf Coast (11/1), 201-98
L at Arizona (11/8), 151-149
W at Arizona State (11/9), 183-113
UNLV Fall Invitational (11/21-23)
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
W vs. Utah (1/11), 157-134

Next competition: Friday at Washington State

A dominating meet kept UCLA rolling through the season, keeping them in the top 20.

17. Penn State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 17

Results
W vs. West Virginia (10/18), 152-102
L at Virginia (11/8-9), 226-127
L vs. Texas (at Virginia) (11/8-9), 242-111
Texas Invitational (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
Unscored meet vs. North Carolina (in Naples, Fla.)

Next competition: Friday vs. Villanova

With the relay meet against North Carolina unscored and featuring unusual events for collegiate competition, Penn State didn’t make any movement in the poll.

18. Purdue (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 20

Results
W at Miami (Ohio) (10/18), 177-116
Indiana Intercollegiates (10/26), first place
W vs. Notre Dame (11/1), 155.5-144.5
W vs. Northwestern (11/8), 202-97
W vs. Ohio State (11/8), 157-143
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)

Since last poll:
W at Hawaii (1/4), 146-91
W vs. Michigan (1/10), 164.5-135.5
W vs. Michigan State (1/11), 167-125

Next competition: January 25 at Indiana

A win over Michigan went a long way in convincing voters to give Purdue a boost in the rankings.

19. Ohio State (8-1, 2-0 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 18

Results
W at Kentucky (10/11), 195-104
W vs. Kenyon (10/25), 191-99
W vs. Cleveland State (11/1), 252-48
W vs. Denison (11/1), 251.5-48.5
W vs. Virginia Tech (11/1), 191-109
L at Purdue (11/8), 157-143
W vs. Northwestern (11/8), 211-89
W vs. Ohio (11/9), 193-106
Buckeye Invitational (11/22-24)

Since last poll:
W at Toledo (1/11), 206.5-93.5

Next competition: Friday and Saturday at Kenyon Invite

Ohio State dominated mid-major team Toledo last week, and will likely do the same when they race against Division II and Division III teams this weekend.

20. Florida State (5-1, 2-0 ACC)
Previous rank: 23

Results
All-Florida Invite (9/27-29), second place
W at West Florida (10/11), 232-68
W vs. Tulane (at West Florida) (10/11), 241-59
L at Alabama (10/12), 167-133
W vs. Florida Gulf Coast (10/18), 189-109
W vs. Georgia Tech (10/25), 239-61
W vs. NC State (10/25), 157-143
Auburn Invitational (11/22-24)

Since last poll:
L at Florida (1/4), 153-147

Next competition: Friday vs. Florida Atlantic

The Seminoles took advantage of a weakened Florida squad to produce a close meet and give Florida State a much-needed boost.

21. Michigan (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten)
Previous rank: 23

Results
W vs. Iowa (9/27), 185-111
L at Minnesota (10/11), 174.5-125.5
L at Indiana (10/25), 181-119
L vs. Texas (at Indiana) (10/25), 210-90
W at Toledo (11/1), 221-79
Michigan Open (11/22-24)
USA Swimming nationals (12/5-7)

Since last poll:
Orange Bowl Classic (1/3)
L at Purdue (1/10), 164.5-135.5
W at Northwestern (1/11), 172-128
W vs. Notre Dame (at Northwestern) (1/11), 168-132
W vs. Rutgers (at Northwestern) (1/11), 219-81

Next competition: January 31 vs. Nebraska and Ohio State at Ohio State

The Wolverines notched some big wins last weekend, and despite the loss to Purdue, had some impressive swims in the past few days. Ali DeLoof and Courtney Beidler were key players for the Wolverines in all four dual meets.

22. Alabama (4-1, 2-1 SEC)
Previous rank: Not ranked

Results
W at Delta State (9/20), 242-50
W vs. Florida State (10/12), 179-121
L at Florida (11/7), 179-113
Auburn Invitational (11/22-24)

Since last poll:
W vs. Arkansas (1/11), 149-113
W vs. Kentucky (1/11), 152-110

Next competition: January 25 vs. Emory

The Tide return to the poll after handily defeating two conference rivals over the weekend.

23. Arkansas (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Previous rank: 19

Results
NTU Relays (10/4), first place
W at North Texas (10/5), 207-91
W at LSU (10/19), 180-120
W vs. Nebraska (10/26), 205-95
W at Missouri State (11/9), 203.5-88.5

Missouri Invite (11/21-23)

Since last poll:
L at Alabama (1/11), 149-113
W vs. Kentucky (at Alabama) (1/11), 131.5-130.5

Next competition: January 25 vs. Clemson and Rice

Arkansas showed some depth in their one-point win over Kentucky, and kept the meet against Alabama relatively close with wins by Anna Mayfield and Susannah White.

24. Notre Dame (6-4, 1-0 ACC)
Previous rank: 25

Results
Dennis Stark Relays (10/11)
L vs. Auburn (10/12), 180-120
L. vs. Indiana (10/12), 155-145
L at Purdue (11/1), 155.5-144.5
W at Pittsburgh (11/9), 193-107
W vs. Virginia Tech (at Pittsburgh) (11/9), 162-138
W vs. Valparaiso (11/15), 219-60
W vs. Wisconsin (11/15), 171-126
Hawkeye Invitational (12/6-8)

Since last poll:
L vs. Michigan (at Northwestern) (1/11), 168-132
W vs. Northwestern (1/11), 160-140
W vs. Rutgers (1/11), 206-94

Next competition: Saturday at Louisville

Emma Reaney’s versatility continues to help Notre Dame in dual meet action … and helps keep the Irish in the coaches’ poll. She won the 100 and 200 breast as well as the 100 fly in the quad meet last Saturday.

25. Utah (4-3, 2-2 Pac 12)
Previous rank: 22

Results
W at Oregon State (10/11), 168-95
L vs. Arizona (10/19), 204-96
W vs. Boise State (10/25), 188-112
W vs. UNLV (11/8), 195-105
Missouri Invitational (11/21-23)

Since last poll:
W vs. Arizona State (1/5), 159-137
L at USC (1/10), 119-91
L at UCLA (1/11), 157-134

Next competition: January 24 at BYU

The Utes slip in the polls but continue to make their home meets tough for visiting teams, handing Arizona State a defeat before losing to a much-stronger USC and UCLA on the road.

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