It's the last week before conference season begins for most schools, so might there be a few more upsets brewing? Here are five things to take note of this week in the world of sets, kills, blocks and digs.
1. A bump in the road?
Stanford went 2-2 on its week-plus East Coast trip, which is obviously not what the Cardinal team was hoping for. However, will that experience prove to be beneficial in the long run? Likely so, for a team that's still forming its identity without star Inky Ajanaku, who is out this season after suffering a knee injury this summer.
On Sept. 4-5 at Penn State, the Cardinal beat Illinois 3-1 and then lost to the No. 1 Nittany Lions 3-0. Then Stanford traveled to the North Carolina triangle, practicing at Duke and North Carolina a few days before playing those schools.
The Cardinal were upset 3-0 by the Tar Heels on Sept. 10. It marked the first time in coach John Dunning's 15 seasons at Stanford that the Cardinal had been swept in back-to-back matches. Stanford righted the ship the next day at Duke, but it was also a tough match, with the Cardinal winning a 15-10 fifth set.
While in the area, they also visited with the family of Stanford's All-American setter Madi Bugg, who is from Apex, North Carolina. Bugg, a senior, had a combined 78 assists and 22 digs in the team's two matches in North Carolina.
This week, Stanford is home to take on Pacific, which moved into the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll at a tie for 24th, and St. Mary's. The Cardinal, by the way, are now No. 8 in the poll after beginning the season at No. 2.
Then you know what's next for Stanford: The Pac-12 grind. This week, there are seven Pac-12 teams in the rankings, led by No. 3 USC at 10-0.
2. Honolulu hex
Florida is far from the first -- nor will it be the last -- team to be upset when visiting Hawaii. The Rainbow Wahine are usually in or near the Top 25, they have some of the most passionate fans in volleyball, and going there, of course, can be a rather distracting road trip for opponents.
Florida knew all the dangers, but Hawaii was still able to earn a 3-2 victory last Friday (15-9 in the final set) at the Stan Sheriff Center. Sandwiched around the loss were Florida victories over Eastern Washington and San Diego State. The Gators dropped from No. 2 in the AVCA poll to No. 5.
Meanwhile, Hawaii jumped four spots to No. 12. The Rainbow Wahine's only loss thus far in 2015 was 3-1 to visiting UCLA on Sept. 6. Hawaii, incidentally, doesn't have a match on the road until Oct. 2-3, when the Wahine travel to Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside. (Look for more on Hawaii on Wednesday on espnW.com).
3. Clinging by a claw
Kentucky was picked to finish third in the SEC behind Florida and Alabama and was ranked No. 15 in the preseason poll after a 27-6 record in 2014. But it's been a challenging nonconference season for the Wildcats, who are 5-5, including losses last weekend to Illinois and Wichita State. Kentucky is still in the AVCA poll, barely, dropping this week to a tie for 24th in the rankings with incoming Pacific.
Kentucky closes out its pre-SEC schedule with regional rivalry matchups against Xavier and Louisville.
Alabama, incidentally, is 4-6. Tennessee (12-0) and Missouri (8-0) are leading the SEC, but we'll have to see how they hold up come conference season.
4. Huskers update
The only thing standing between No. 4 Nebraska and a perfect record is the Huskers' 3-2 loss at now-No. 2 Texas on Sept 4. Tuesday against Creighton, the Huskers will play in the building where they hope they'll end this season: the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska, which will host the final four.
Then Saturday, Nebraska travels to Iowa State, a series that has continued as a nonconference matchup since the Huskers' move to the Big Ten. Former Nebraska standout Christy Johnson-Lynch is in her 11th season as Iowa State's coach.
5. Keep an eye on ... Michigan
The Wolverines began the season unranked, but at 9-0 they've moved up to No. 20 this week. Middle blocker Abby Cole was named the Big Ten's co-player of the week -- along with Minnesota's Daly Santana -- after averaging 4.2 kills per set and hitting .567 in three victories.
Michigan will be taking the same trip this week than Stanford did last week, as the Wolverines play at Duke on Friday and North Carolina on Saturday. Then they'll start Big Ten season the following week, hosting Purdue.