Back in the Saddle, Again: Cal Poly Returns to No. 1 in April 1 National Collegiate Club Poll

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. -- California Polytechnic State University, the defending 2008 National Collegiate Club champion, returns to the top of the women's collegiate club ranks this week as the Mustangs garnered 100 points to be the unanimous selection as the No. 1 team in the April 1 Women's National Collegiate Club Poll.

The Mustangs, which were ranked No. 1 in the final 2008 poll, preseason and first six weekly polls of the 2009 season, is one of three teams to hold the top spot this season joining University of Oregon (March 4, March 11) and University of California-Los Angeles (March 4, March 18, March 25) as the only teams to hold down the top ranking in the nation this year.

Cal Poly's ranking is the culumination of a slow climb by the Mustangs back to the No. 1 spot in the country as the Green & Gold dropped to No. 4 in the March 4 and 11 polls before ascending to No. 2 in the March 18 and 25 polls.

The rise is in part thanks to a series of wins over nationally ranked teams last week as the Mustangs handled University of Notre Dame (11-7 W), Grand Valley State University (12-4 W), University of Wisconsin (18-2 W) and previous No. 1 ranked UCLA (9-3 W) at the Miami University (Ohio) Invitational.

Due to the loss by UCLA, the Bruins slipped back to No. 3 this week, one place and point behind Notre Dame which moved up to No. 2.

Overall, no team in the Top 10 of the March 25 poll retained their position from a week ago as University of California-Davis, University of Michigan, University of Oregon and Michigan State University all climbed one place to rank No. 4-7.  University of Illinois jumped to No. 8, University of Florida slipped to No. 4 and University of Utah broke into the Top 10 at No. 10.

The changes continue into the "Next 10" as University of Arizona went to No. 11, Grand Valley State University dropped to No. 12, University of Pennsylvania and University of Texas inched up to No. 14 and 15, while Miami University (Ohio) spiraled to No. 15.  University of California-San Diego remained at No. 16, California State University-Chico progressed to No. 17, Boston College and New York University receded to No. 18 and 19 and Purdue University became the only new team to crack the Top 20 at No. 20.