TYLER, TEXAS – The University of Texas at Tyler volleyball team debuted at no. 7 in the first ranked edition of the South Central Regional Rankings as announced by the NCAA on Wednesday afternoon.

Wednesday's rankings are the first ranked edition and the second of three total editions of the regional rankings that will be announced by the NCAA selection committee prior to the announcement of the NCAA Division II National Tournament field on Monday, Nov. 25^th via an online selection show. The winners of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and Lone Star Conference (LSC) Postseason Tournaments will receive the two available automatic qualifying bids into the tournament, while the final six teams of the eight-team South Central Regional Tournament field will be at-large bids determined by the NCAA selection committee.

The South Central Regional Tournament is scheduled for Dec. 5-7 at the no. 1 seed's host site.

The Patriots debut at no. 7 ahead of Colorado Christian in the no. 8 spot and behind Dallas Baptist in the no. 6 spot. West Texas A&M sits atop of the rankings, while MSU Denver (no. 2), Angelo State (no. 3), Colorado Mesa (no. 4) and Texas Woman's (no. 5) round out the top five.

The Patriots are seeking a fourth straight trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in each of the first four years of postseason eligibility for the program.

UT Tyler sits 16-6 and 13-1 in Lone Star Conference play, their only loss to front-runner West Texas A&M. The Patriots ride a six-game winning streak into the final weekend of play in the regular season at Lubbock Christian and #11 Angelo State on Friday and Saturday.

The complete South Central Regional Rankings can be found below.