"It's nice to jump into the rankings with the start to the season we've had," Idaho coach Jeff Beaman said. "It surprised me a little we entered the rankings so high, and it's exciting to know that this team has the potential to keep moving up as the season goes on."

The Vandals will get opportunities to move up in the rankings with four matches against teams currently ranked in the top 75 remaining this season. Idaho faces No. 30 BYU on April 12, No. 45 Oregon on March 8, No. 62 Oklahoma State on April 2 and No. 65 Denver on April 21.

Idaho's 9-0 start is its best start to a season in at least 20 years. The ranking is Idaho's first in a year. The Vandals were ranked in the first five polls of 2012 before dropping out on Feb. 28, peaking at No. 56. Idaho's highest ranking came in April, 2011 when the Vandals cracked the top 50 at No. 46.

The Vandals return to action this weekend when they face Montana and Montana State in Missoula, Mont., on March 2.