DENVER – MSU Denver Athletics had three fall programs represented in the latest NCAA Power Index (NPI) rankings, with women's volleyball debuting at No. 5 in the South Central Region and men's and women's soccer earning regional rankings in the second week of NPI releases.
The rankings mark the first week of NPI rankings for NCAA Division II women's volleyball and the second week for men's and women's soccer. The 2026-27 academic year is the first season the NCAA is using the NPI as the primary selection tool for determining the NCAA Division II Tournament field in most team sports.
The NPI evaluates teams based on results and strength of schedule, with rankings updating throughout the season as teams compete and opponents' results change. The system will play a central role in determining at-large selections for NCAA championships.
Women's Volleyball – No. 5 South Central Region
MSU Denver volleyball debuted at No. 5 in the South Central Region after extending its winning streak to six matches and taking sole possession of first place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings.
The Roadrunners swept Colorado Christian 3-1 on Friday, Oct. 16, before earning a 3-0 sweep at CSU Pueblo on Saturday, Oct. 17. The two victories improved MSU Denver to 14-6 overall and 9-1 in RMAC play, leaving the Roadrunners alone atop the conference standings as they pursue their sixth consecutive RMAC regular-season title.
MSU Denver returns home this week for two matches, beginning Thursday, Oct. 22, against UCCS at 6 p.m. The Roadrunners will then host CSU Pueblo on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. Both matches are part of RMAC pod play and will not count toward the conference standings.
Women's Soccer – No. 20 South Central Region
Women's soccer earned the No. 20 ranking in the South Central Region after picking up a 1-0 road victory over Adams State on Thursday, Oct. 15. Makayla Bindrup scored the lone goal to lift the Roadrunners to the win, snapping a five-match losing streak and improving the team to 3-8-4 overall and 2-6-1 in RMAC play.
MSU Denver now returns home for its final weekend of the regular season at the Assembly Athletic Complex, with two opportunities to build momentum and improve its position in the conference standings. The Roadrunners host Western Colorado on Friday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. before welcoming Fort Lewis for Senior Day on Sunday, Oct. 25, at noon.
With the top eight teams in the RMAC standings advancing to the conference tournament, the Roadrunners will look to make the most of their final home contests as they continue their push toward postseason qualification.
Men's Soccer – No. 18 Super Region 4
Men's soccer checked in at No. 18 in Super Region 4 after earning a 3-1 victory over No. 16 UCCS on Sunday, Oct. 18. The win snapped a three-match losing streak and marked MSU Denver's first victory over the Mountain Lions since 2023.
Jared Mojardin opened the scoring before Jace Starling took over in the second half, scoring twice to record the Roadrunners' first brace of the season. The result improved MSU Denver to 6-5-3 overall and 3-4 in RMAC play.
The Roadrunners head to Westminster on Friday, Oct. 23, for a 6 p.m. kickoff before returning home for their final home match of the season against Colorado Mesa on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m.
As the NCAA's new NPI system begins its inaugural season in Division II, MSU Denver's three ranked fall programs will continue to build their postseason résumés through the final weeks of the regular season.
