KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The first top 25 rating of 2024 was released by the NAIA this (Wednesday) morning, with Northwestern entering the year ranked No. 2. It is the highest initial rating in program history after the Raiders opened at No. 5 on four previous occasions.
Northwestern has been ranked in 53 consecutive polls, sitting fourth in the NAIA’s active streaks.
The Raiders are looking to build on the success of a historic 2023 campaign that landed them in the national title match. Northwestern moved into a tie for the No. 1 ranking on October 25, 2023, holding the top spot for the rest of the season and earning the top seed in the NAIA tournament. In an exciting run, the Red Raiders won their first-ever appearance in the national semifinals, eventually taking Indiana Wesleyan to five sets in the title match.
Northwestern brings an experienced roster into 2024, headlined by returning All-Americans Jazlin Douma and Alysen Dexter. All-Conference selections Zavyr Metzger, Liv Reitsma, Savonne Sterk, and Jori Hajek will also be a few of many important pieces vying to defend their GPAC title.
Defending national champion Indiana Wesleyan begins the year in the No. 1 spot, with Northwestern, Eastern Oregon, Concordia (Neb.), and Viterbo (Wis.) rounding out the top five.
Four GPAC teams were represented in the rating, with three teams (Northwestern, Concordia, and Midland) placed in the top 10.
GPAC IN THE TOP 25
No. 2 Northwestern Red Raiders
No. 4 Concordia Bulldogs
No. 6 Midland Warriors
No. 17 College of Saint Mary Flames
The new season begins on Friday as Northwestern heads to Montana for the Big Sky Challenge.
| RANK | LAST TIME | INSTITUTION [FIRST-PLACE VOTES] | RECORD | POINTS |
| 1 | 2 | Indiana Wesleyan [20] | 38-0 | 591 |
| 2 | 1 | Northwestern (Iowa) [1] | 31-3 | 571 |
| 3 | 3 | Eastern Oregon | 34-2 | 554 |
| 4 | 4 | Concordia (Neb.) | 25-4 | 508 |
| 5 | 5 | Viterbo (Wis.) | 34-5 | 506 |
| 6 | 15 | Midland (Neb.) | 18-12 | 479 |
| 7 | 12 | Columbia (Mo.) | 32-7 | 453 |
| 8 | 6 | Park (Mo.) | 32-3 | 437 |
| 9 | 9 | Jamestown (N.D.) | 25-11 | 432 |
| 10 | 12 | Southern Oregon | 28-7 | 428 |
| 11 | 8 | Missouri Baptist | 27-7 | 407 |
| 12 | 7 | Corban (Ore.) | 28-7 | 372 |
| 13 | 25 | Oklahoma Wesleyan | 28-6 | 329 |
| 14 | 18 | Bellevue (Neb.) | 26-10 | 326 |
| 15 | NR | Montana Western | 22-8 | 326 |
| 16 | 14 | IU Kokomo (Ind.) | 34-4 | 266 |
| 17 | 16 | College of Saint Mary (Neb.) | 22-9 | 244 |
| 18 | 21 | Central Methodist (Mo.) | 22-11 | 236 |
| 19 | 22 | St. Thomas (Fla.) | 27-3 | 229 |
| 20 | 20 | Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) | 31-9 | 214 |
| 21 | 11 | Montana Tech | 24-6 | 164 |
| 22 | RV | Valley City State (N.D.) | 23-11 | 157 |
| 23 | NR | Providence (Mont.) | 15-11 | 152 |
| 24 | RV | Kansas Wesleyan | 26-10 | 146 |
| 25 | RV | Ottawa (Kan.) | 22-12 | 138 |
Receiving Votes: Columbia International (S.C.) 109, Morningside (Iowa) 95, Nelson (Texas) 94, Bethel (Ind.) 62, Texas Wesleyan 59, Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) 51, Benedictine (Kan.) 43, College of Idaho 29, St Ambrose (Iowa) 29, Marian (Ind.) 21, Loyola (La.) 20, Rocky Mountain (Mont.) 17, Bethel (Kan.) 14, Xavier (La.) 14, Indiana Tech 12, IU East (Ind.) 12, Aquinas (Mich.) 11, Dakota state (S.D.) 9, Talladega (Ala.) 8, Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 7, McPherson (Kan.) 5, Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) 4
