LEXINGTON, Ky. – Georgia Tech volleyball (7-1) has risen to No. 18 in the latest AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 Women’s Poll, the AVCA announced on Monday. The Jackets made the jump from No. 21 the week prior following a flawless weekend hosting the Georgia Tech Classic.
Since appearing in the Top 25 at No. 12 on Sept. 30, 2020, Georgia Tech has been listed in 26 straight top 25 polls to date. The Yellow Jackets are joined in the poll by No. 4 Pitt and No. 5 Louisville among the ACC ranks.
Tech earns the 18th slot after sweeping its home tournament, the Georgia Tech Classic, downing the like of Mississippi State (sweep), Indiana (3-1) and Oklahoma (3-1). Senior right-side hitter Mariana Brambilla was named tournament MVP while junior outside hitter Julia Bergmann and senior setter Matti McKissock joined her on the all-tournament team.
Georgia Tech is off to a strong start for the fourth consecutive season after going 9-0 to start 2018, 6-1 to open 2019 and 8-1 to begin last season. The Yellow Jackets opened their 2021 slate without a blemish, topping No. 20 Penn State (previously 12), UCF and St. John’s on the way to a UCF Challenge title before splitting the Long Beach State Tournament by topping Long Beach State before falling to No. 19 UCLA (previously 18).
The Jackets have also racked up a multitude of individual awards, led by Bergmann who’s been awarded AVCA Player of the Week, ACC Player of the Week, UCF Challenge MVP and to three all-tournament teams. Freshman outside hitter Bianca Bertolino has kept pace with Bergmann being named ACC Freshman of the Week for two consecutive weeks and to a pair of all-tournament teams. Like Bergmann, Brambilla has also been named to all three all-tournament teams this season, and McKissock’s recognition for the weekend’s competition marked her first all-tournament nod this season.
On a national scale, Bergmann continues to boast some of the top marks in the country. The veteran is currently 26th in the nation in kills per set (4.47), 14th in points per set (5.32), 23rd in points (159.5), and 28th in total kills (134). Amongst the conference, those marks put her first in points per set, second in kills per set, fourth in points and fourth in total kills. She also leads the ACC in attacks per set (10.63) and is second in total attacks (319) this season. Through the first three weeks of the season, Bergmann leads Georgia Tech with 134 kills and is tied for the top mark in digs with 85 while also totaling 17 blocks (10 solo, seven assisted) and a team-high 12 aces.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets will hit the road for a neutral match with Arkansas on Thursday at 3 p.m. in Raleigh. N.C. Live coverage information will be provided here.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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