Red Wolves - IU East

The Indiana University East volleyball team's 7-0 start caught the attention of coaches across the nation.

The Red Wolves picked up votes in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Volleyball Poll for the first time in the program's history.

IU East received three rating points in the NAIA poll released Sept. 8. The Red Wolves are tied for 43rd in the poll.

"What an evolution," IU East Coach Charlie Brown said. "We've come from the absolute bottom and now we're receiving votes as one of the top teams in the country. That speaks volumes to what we've become.

"Our goal is to continue to receive votes until we break into the top 25."

The Red Wolves hope to attract more attention with a home match Sept. 9 against Miami University Middletown and four matches at the Cedarville University Invitational Sept. 11 and 12.

"Some coaches may not like polls because they could be perceived as biased or because it puts a target on their team," Brown said. "But from my perspective, we've always talked about putting IU East on the map, and this is one piece of that puzzle.

"This is three votes we didn't have the last five years, so why not enjoy the moment?"

Reigning national champion Fresno Pacific University was a unanimous selection as the NAIA's No. 1 team.

Click here to view the full poll.

NOTE: Indiana University East Sports Information Director Kyle Wright is a member of the NAIA volleyball poll voting panel. Wright's poll did include IU East, but the total points received by the Red Wolves indicate a second national rater also voted for IU East.