Welcome back, Tennessee. It’s been awhile.

The Lady Vols were No. 1 in the Associated Press women’s basketball poll Monday, their first appearance atop the rankings in nearly three years.

Tennessee moved up one spot to replace Duke after beating the Blue Devils, 72-69, Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Tennessee (16-1) received 44 of 47 first-place votes and 1,172 points from a national media panel in earning its 91st No. 1 ranking — but first since the week of Feb. 26, 2001.

Duke was No. 2 with one first-place vote and 1,096 points.

Tennessee ended its second-longest stretch away from No. 1; its record drought was from December 1978 to December 1986.

“I think in this program it’s not so much about being ranked No. 1. It’s about being prepared for postseason,” Summitt said.

Duke (15-2) spent three weeks at No. 1 after replacing Connecticut, which led the first eight polls of the season and is now fourth.

Texas (17-2) remained third with two first-place votes and 1,074 points.

There were numerous changes throughout the poll, including three newcomers: No. 23 Virginia Tech, No. 24 Vanderbilt and No. 25 Nebraska, ranked for the first time since November 1999.