Highland Community College volleyball has earned a spot in the NJCAA Division II national rankings, with the Scotties coming in at No. 22 this week.

It is the first time the Scotties have appeared in the national rankings in five years. Highland's last ranking came on August 18, 2021, when the Scotties were ranked No. 19 in the preseason poll.
The recognition is a significant milestone for a program that has continued to build since Head Coach Andrea Keller returned to lead the Scotties for the second time in her career in September 2023.
Under Keller's leadership, the Scotties have steadily developed their skills, built a strong team culture and established themselves as a program capable of attracting talented local players to compete in the challenging Jayhawk Conference.

Keller has also intentionally scheduled matches against nationally ranked opponents, giving the Scotties opportunities to compete against some of the best teams in the country and learn from those experiences.That approach reflects the team's philosophy: get better every time the Scotties step on the court.

"It's great to be ranked, but it's most important for everyone to put all they have out on the court each and every practice and game," Keller said. "We do that by respecting each other, pushing each other in practice, and being good teammates all year long."

Being included among the nation's ranked teams is a privilege and a reflection of the work the players have put in together. The Scotties are proud of the athletes who represent Highland Community College, as well as the families who support them and the fans who continue to show up, travel, watch online and cheer them on throughout the season.For the program, that support is an important part of what makes the experience special.

"We want to put a team on the court that we can be proud of, but we also want to put a team on the court that our fans enjoy watching," Keller said. "We are so grateful for everyone who supports these players and this program."

The national ranking is certainly something the Scotties can celebrate, but it is not where the team's attention will stay.Whether Highland remains in the rankings throughout the season is not the focus. The focus is on becoming the best team the Scotties can be—one practice, one match and one day at a time. "If we do that, the wins and losses and rankings will take care of themselves," Keller said. And if you haven't had a chance to watch the Scotties play this season, there are still plenty of opportunities to see them in action. Come out and watch Highland compete. Just be prepared: you might be exhausted by the end of the match!