Members of the UMSL volleyball team practice earlier this season at the Mark Twain Athletic Center. The Tritons have started 21-3 to grab the No. 25 national ranking – and the attention of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in a feature story in Friday’s paper. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The University of Missouri–St. Louis volleyball team has been surging ever since the season began, winning 21 of its first 24 matches and climbing into the national rankings.

The Tritons sit at No. 25 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association coaches’ poll as they prepare to begin a four-match homestand, starting with matches against Indianapolis at 7 p.m. tonight and Bellarmine at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Mark Twain Athletic Center.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has taken notice of their success, with reporter Joe Lyons featuring the team in a story in today’s edition.

Lyons spoke to coach Ryan Young and sophomore libero Megan Woll about how the program has responded since a 14-15 finish last season and how motivated the players are to continue this run.

“We came into this season hungry and determined, and while we feel pretty good about the season we’re having, we know we can’t afford to relax now,” Young told the Post-Dispatch.

The team is aiming to qualify for the eight-team NCAA regional for the first time since 2010, the year Young joined the program as an assistant coach.

They’ve been led by Woll, setter Kaileen Herman and a trio of powerful outside hitters – seniors Selena Nolte and Kylie Rudsinski and sophomore Charlotte Richards. Nolte, first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference performer as a sophomore, now has a team-best 319 kills this season.

“Getting to the NCAAs is definitely something we’re working for,” Woll told the Post-Dispatch. “The key for us is to work hard and continue playing as a team.”

To read the full story in the Post-Dispatch, click here.