SPRINGFIELD, Mo.- The Drury volleyball team is still in first place in the Midwest Region as the third of four regional rankings were released this week.
 
The Panthers are 25-5 with a 22-4 record within the region. Ferris State (23-4) remained in second place while Lewis (24-6) is ranked third.
 
The regional rankings determine the postseason field in the NCAA-II tournament with the top team in each region having the opportunity to host the first three rounds. The rankings will be updated each week through the end of the conference tournaments.
 
The final regional ranking and the NCAA-II tournament field will be announced on Sunday.
 
Drury vs McKendree in GLVC Quarterfinals
The Panthers take on McKendree today at 2:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament at the Eastside Centre in East Peoria, Illinois. Drury finished the regular season with a league record of 15-3 and ended up in a three-way for first place in the conference with Lewis and Illinois Springfield. The Panthers are seeded second on the bracket and will face a Bearcats team that is 16-14 and 10-8 in the GLVC.
 
The winner of Thursday's match advances to the league semifinals to face the winner of third-seeded Illinois Springfield (24-6, 15-3) and number six seed Bellarmine (20-9, 11-7). The championship is scheduled for Saturday at noon.
 
Drury had their best finish in league play since joining the GLVC in 2005. The Panthers had never been seeded higher than fifth on the conference bracket before this season and will be looking to advance beyond the quarterfinal round in a conference tournament for the first time as an NCAA program.
 
Thursday's game will be broadcast live on the internet on the GLVCSN.
 
 
MIDWEST REGION RANKINGS (Nov. 8)
                                                         Reg.       Overall
1             Drury                                 22-4       25-5
2             Ferris State                        21-2       23-4
3             Lewis                                 18-5       24-6
4             Michigan Tech                   19-4       22-5
5             Illinois Springfield              24-6       24-6
6             Rockhurst                          21-6       26-6
7             Ashland                              25-5       25-5
8             Hillsdale                             21-6       22-6
9             Indianapolis                       14-8       19-11
10           Findlay                               22-4       22-6
 
#allweDUiswin