NEWVA Releases First Regional Poll of 2016

1. UMass Boston (11-1 overall, 8-0 in-region), 115 points, five first place votes

UMass Boston is off to an electric start to their 2016 campaign with 11 wins through their first 12 matches which includes an out-of-region win over Stevenson, the 2015 champions of the MAC Commonwealth, and in-region victories over top-five NEWVA-ranked MIT and Tufts. The Beacons have already won their 12th match of the year this week (3-2 at Plymouth St.) and face a challenging weekend ahead with Wellesley, Babson, and Middlebury. 

2. Johnson & Wales (13-0 overall, 13-0 in-region), 107 points, three first place votes

Johnson & Wales (R.I.) has been dominant throughout the month of September. The Wildcats have only dropped one set (3-1 vs Rivier) while earning key victories over NEWVA-ranked opponents Rivier, Amherst, Wellesley, Connecticut Col. (twice), and Endicott, all in straight sets. The road continues this week with a mid-week matchup with Simmons (9/28) before traveling to the nearby Roger Williams Invitational (9/30-10/1). 

T-3. MIT (12-3 overall, 8-1 in-region), 103 points, one first place vote

MIT started their season 2-2 at the Haverford Invitational where they took on Heidelberg (2015 NCAA Second Round) and Mary Washington (2015 NCAA First Round) and suffered defeats. Since then, the Engineers have 11 wins in their last 12 matches with their loss coming to the top-ranked team in this week's NEWVA Poll, UMass Boston. MIT has beaten Springfield in four sets and both Bowdoin and Roger Williams in straight sets. After grinding out a five-set victory over Clark on Tuesday night, MIT hosts Wheaton and Framingham State on Saturday.

T-3. Tufts (9-1 overall, 9-1 in-region), 103 points

Tufts began their 2016 season with eight straight wins including victories over Amherst, Williams, Clark, Wellesley, Roger Williams, and Endicott. After a 3-1 setback to NEWVA-ranked No. 1 UMass Boston, the Jumbos rebounded to beat Bowdoin and remain undefeated in the NESCAC. Tufts has a pair of conference matches this weekend starting Wesleyan (9/30) followed by Trinity (10/1).  

5. Springfield (10-3 overall, 6-1 in-region), 92 points

Springfield opened up their season by going 6-2 between their own invitational and the Colorado College Invitational where the Pride scored out-of-region wins over Whitman and Occidental in straight sets. The team returned to the east coast and has since garnered a strong 3-0 win over Babson but suffered a four-set loss to MIT in NEWMAC play. Springfield beat Wheaton 3-1 on Tuesday and is off until next Tuesday (10/4) when they host Clark.