WICHITA, Kan. -- The Wichita State women's bowling team moved up to #5 in the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association poll announced Thursday, achieving their highest ranking of the season. The Shockers were ranked #17 in the NTCA preseason poll on October 1, improved to #7 in the December 5 poll and remained at #5 in the poll's February iteration.

Nebraska remains atop the poll, earning 40 first place votes. Jacksonville State and Vanderbilt swapped places from the most recent version of the poll, with the Gamecocks snagging 11 first place votes to one for the Commodores. Youngstown State received the only other first place vote at #4, with the #5 Shockers the only team in the top 10 to move up multiple spots in the poll. Arkansas State slipped back from #4 to #6, followed by Sam Houston, North Carolina A&T, Stephen F. Austin and Maryville. Seven of the top nine programs are members of Conference USA.

Wichita State has put together one of the nation's best stretches during the spring semester, finishing sixth at the Northeast Classic, first at the Columbia 300 Saints Invite, fourth at the Flyer Classic, first at the Mid-Winter Invitational and second at the Big Red Invite. Along the way, the Shockers have upped their win-loss record to 68-31, highlighted by three wins over #6 Arkansas State, three over #3 Vanderbilt and one win apiece against #2 Jacksonville State and #1 Nebraska. WSU has jumped to #5 in the NTCA's Power Index Ranking in the process, all despite an opponent average of 210.5 in losses that ranks third nationally.

The Shockers have four individuals who rank in the top-21 of the Player Composite Performance Index, paced by Sara Duque Jimenez (3rd). Ashtyn Woods (8th), Paige Wagner (18th) and Mary Orf (21st) combine to give WSU one of the nation's most complete lineups.

Wichita State is off from team competition this week for the Intercollegiate Singles Championship Sectional Qualifying, but returns to action next week for the final regular season tournament of the season at the Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tennessee. The tournament is hosted by Vanderbilt and begins Friday, March 14.