INDIANAPOLIS, In. -- Washburn volleyball remains ranked No. 8 in the central region of the latest NPI rankings released on Monday morning by the NCAA. The next set of rankings will be released on November 2.  

The NCAA Power Index (NPI) is a ranking system used in Division II and Division III to evaluate team performance based on game results and the strength of opponents. These factors are used to calculate each team's NPI value and ranking. 

Eith teams from the central region will advance to the NCAA Central Region Tournament with three automatic qualifiers up for grabs for conference tournament champions in the MIAA, NSIC and GAC. The top ranked seed among the eight schools will serve as the host site for the eight-team tournament.  

Washburn remains ranked No. 8 in the central region and No. 24 nationally. Wayne State (NE) is No. 2 in the nation and ranks No. 1 in the region. Four MIAA schools rank inside the top eight with Nebraska Kearney, Emporia State and Missouri Western joining the Ichabods.  

The final week of MIAA play begins this season for Washburn as they head to Warrensburg, Mo. to face Central Missouri at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. 

Central region NPI rankings - October 26 (National rank) 

1. Wayne State (2) 

2. Nebraska Kearney (4) 

3. Emporia State (8) 

4. Missouri Western (10) 

5. Southwest Minnesota State (13) 

6. Concordia-St. Paul (14) 

7. St. Cloud State (23) 

8. Washburn (24) 

9. Minnesota Duluth (28) 

10. Oklahoma Baptist (33)