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BLACKSBURG, Va. – On Oct. 4, the NCAA released its first Rankings Percentage Index (RPI) of the 2010 season. The RPI, one of the primary statistical measures for postseason seeding, bases a team’s strength on both winning percentage and strength of schedule. The Virginia Tech Hokies came in at 33^rd in the nation in the first RPI release of the season, which is the highest the Tech squad has ever been ranked in school history. Despite their rocky start in conference play, the Hokies rank fifth among ACC teams.

The University of Florida garnered the top spot in the RPI, followed by Nebraska and Illinois, who currently rank second, third and sixth, respectively, in the AVCA coaches’ poll. Tennessee, who handed the Hokies their first loss of the season while ranked 19^th, came in at number nine. Three ACC teams placed in the top 15, as Duke, Florida State and North Carolina took 13^th, 14^th and 15^th, in that order. ACC foe Miami, who has yet to receive votes this season in the AVCA poll, clocks in at 24^th. Western Kentucky and Missouri, who Virginia Tech defeated at the Western Kentucky Tournament earlier this season, placed 34^th and 45^th after receiving votes in this week’s AVCA poll.

The Hokies, who head to Maryland and Boston College this weekend, will have their next big chance to move up in the RPI rankings on Oct. 14, when they host the Blue Devils of Duke University.

Top 15 and 2010 Virginia Tech Opponents in the Top 100:
1. Florida
2. Nebraska
3. Illinois
4. Northern Iowa
5. Penn State
6. Stanford
7. Iowa State
8. Minnesota
9. Tennessee
10. Northwestern
11. Hawai’i
12. Dayton
13. Duke
14. Florida State
15. North Carolina
24. Miami
33. Virginia Tech
34. Western Kentucky
45. Missouri
57. Wake Forest
62. Central Arkansas
69. Clemson
74. Virginia
77. NC State
81. Maryland
96. Xavier
99. Georgia Tech

For the complete RPI results, click here.

For updates on Virginia Tech volleyball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_VBall).