LEXINGTON, Ky. – Cal Lutheran men's volleyball moved up one spot to No. 5 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Poll, released Tuesday.

The Kingsmen break into the top five after sitting at No. 6 last week, following a shakeup in the middle of the poll. Reigning national champion Southern Virginia dropped from No. 5 to No. 9, while Messiah fell from eighth to tenth, reshuffling the rankings and moving Cal Lutheran up one position. NYU climbed to No. 6, and the Kingsmen's lone West Coast counterpart, UC Santa Cruz, jumped to seventh.

Cal Lutheran did not compete in Division III action last week but challenged NCAA Division I UC Santa Barbara at home, taking a set off the Gauchos inside Gilbert Arena.

Offensively, CLU continues to rank among the nation's best, averaging 12.0 kills per set with a .291 team hitting percentage. Juniors Brendan Hom and Tyler Linville lead the attack, with Hom hitting .361 while averaging 3.50 kills per set, and Linville posting a .300 clip with 2.97 kills per set.

Sophomore setter Gavin Galanski directs the offense with 8.17 assists per set. Defensively, senior Braden Gonzales anchors the back row with 2.79 digs per set, while junior Matthew Wilcox provides a strong presence at the net, averaging 1.19 blocks per set.

Cal Lutheran returns to Division III competition next week, heading back to the Midwest for a four-match trip to Wisconsin. The Kingsmen open the road swing on Thursday, February 19, against Wisconsin Lutheran.

Feb. 10 – AVCA Division III Men's Volleyball Poll