South Dakota Mines volleyball moved to No. 8 in the latest NPI South Central Region rankings, according to an announcement from South Dakota Mines Athletics on Nov. 2. The Hardrockers had been ranked No. 7 the previous week.
St. Edward’s rose to No. 7 with an NPI value of 56.327, while South Dakota Mines had a value of 56.238, the announcement said. Angelo State, Colorado School of Mines, Dallas Baptist, Colorado Mesa, MSU Denver and UT Tyler were also ranked ahead of the Hardrockers; UCCS was behind them at 55.299, according to the announcement.
The NPI system replaced the Regional Advisory Committees this season, and the announcement said NCAA Tournament berths will go to the RMAC and Lone Star Conference champions, along with the six other highest-ranked institutions. The rankings are scheduled to be updated daily until the NCAA Division II selection show, South Dakota Mines Athletics said.
South Dakota Mines entered the final weekend of its regular season with an 18-6 overall record and an 8-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference record, according to the announcement. The team’s 18 wins tie its NCAA Division II record set in 2023 and 2024, and it has secured a place in the RMAC Tournament for the first time since 2024, the announcement said.
The Hardrockers are scheduled to play at Westminster on Friday and at Colorado Mesa on Saturday to close the regular season, South Dakota Mines Athletics said. The announcement did not give game times.
