INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The Francis Marion University volleyball program remained eighth in the latest Southeast Region rankings, which were released by the NCAA Division II Volleyball Committee on Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 19).

The NCAA regional rankings determine the participants for the NCAA Tournament. The Southeast Region consists of the Conference Carolinas (CC), the South Atlantic Conference (SAC), and the Peach Belt Conference (PBC). All three conference tournament champions receive an automatic bid, with the five remaining teams in the final regional rankings receiving at-large bids.

The Patriots closed out the 2025 regular season with a 21-9 overall record behind a conference-best 18-2 mark. Francis Marion captured the East Division crown and the No. 1 seed in the Conference Carolinas Tournament. FMU will return to the court on Saturday, Nov. 22, to face the winner of No. 4 North Greenville/No. 8 Southern Wesleyan in the semifinals of the league tournament, at 5 p.m. in Bristol, Tenn.

Wingate remains atop the Southeast Regional rankings with an impressive 25-1 record while being a perfect 25-0 in-region. The Bulldogs climbed to #15 in the national poll and claimed the SAC Regular Season crown for the 19th time in the last 20 years. Anderson leaped one spot to No. 2 overall with a 20-6 record, while Lenoir-Rhyne dropped to third behind a 20-6 mark. Carson-Newman (23-4) and Flagler (19-12) remained in the top five in the latest regional rankings.

Augusta (24-7), Lander (18-9), Emmanuel (19-9), Francis Marion (21-9), and USC Aiken (15-15) complete the regional poll.

The Patriots remain eighth in the RPI while holding three victories over regionally-ranked opponents.

Note, rankings, and records are reflected through games as of Sunday, Nov. 16.