NEWVA Releases First Regional Poll of 2018

BEVERLY, Mass. - September 18, 2018 - Just about three weeks into the regular season, Johnson & Wales (R.I.), the 5th ranked team in the AVCA's Division III Coaches Poll, tops the first NEWVA Regional Poll of 2018. Standing with a record of 9-1 overall and 3-0 in GNAC play, the Wildcats were the unanimous top choice among the 16 head coaches representing women's volleyball conferences around New England.

The second NEWVA regional poll will be released on Tuesday, September 25. 

NEWVA REGIONAL POLL NO. 1

1. JWU (R.I.) (9-1, 3-0 GNAC) | 240 points | 16 first place votes
2. Springfield (9-0, 2-0 NEWMAC) | 201 points
3. MIT (10-1, 1-1 NEWMAC) | 187 points
T-4. Wellesley (7-0, 2-0 NEWMAC) | 177 points
T- 4. Wesleyan (Conn.) (4-1, 2-0 NESCAC) | 177 points
6. Bowdoin (8-0, 2-0 NESCAC) | 173 points
7. Tufts (6-2, 2-0 NESCAC) | 153 points
8. Coast Guard (12-1, 2-0 NEWMAC| 108 points
9. Babson (6-4, 2-0 NEWMAC) | 106 points
10. Wheaton (11-1, 1-0 NEWMAC| 85 points
11. Amherst (6-0, 1-0 NESCAC) | 75 points
12. Williams (5-2, 1-1 NESCAC) | 73 points
13. Endicott (6-5, 0-0 CCC| 56 points
14. UMass Boston (6-2, 1-0 LEC) | 40 points
15. Middlebury (4-2, 1-1 NESCAC| 23 points

Also receiving votes: Roger Williams, Brandeis, WPI, Rivier, Emerson, Salve Regina 
(Teams receiving votes must appear on two ballots or more)

THE TOP FIVE

1. No. 5 (AVCA) Johnson & Wales (R.I.) (9-1, 3-0 GNAC) | 240 points | 16 first place votes

Johnson & Wales, the defending GNAC Champions, NCAA New England Regional champions and NCAA Quarterfinalists, have picked up right where they left off in 2017. After a 9-1 start that has seen them knock of 2017 DIII national champions Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, the Wildcats also have NEWVA-ranked wins over Babson and Endicott.

2. Springfield (9-0, 2-0 NEWMAC) | 201 points

After ending the 2017 campaign with a loss in the NEWMAC Semifinals to Babson, Springfield has started strong in 2018. Currently undefeated in 2018 through nine matches and having dropped only three sets, the Pride have defeated two NEWVA-ranked teams in Endicott and MIT, while also grabbing a win against WPI (ARV).  

3. MIT (10-1, 1-1 NEWMAC) | 92 points

Coming off a 30-3 season in 2017 that ended with a 3-2 loss in the NCAA New England Regional Final, MIT is currently 11-1 in 2018 and 1-1 in NEWMAC play. The defending NEWMAC champions, the Engineers have defeated Endicott and Roger Williams (ARV), with the lone blemish coming to NEWMAC foe Springfield.

T-4. Wellesley (7-0, 2-0 NEWMAC) | 177points

In 2017, Wellesley reached the NEWMAC finals for the first time since 2013, falling to MIT. The Blue received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Wesleyan in New England Regional play. Off to a 7-0 start in 2018, Wellesley owns a pair of NEWVA-ranked wins over Endicott and UMass Boston, as well as a win over Roger Williams (ARV).

T-4. Wesleyan (Conn.) (4-1, 2-0 NESCAC) | 177 points

A 22-6 season in 2017 saw the Cardinals claim the first NESCAC title in program history as Wesleyan defeated Tufts 3-1 in the finals. Wesleyan would go on to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Johnson & Wales in the NCAA New England Regional Second Round. In 2018, Wesleyan currently possesses a record of 4-1 that includes a NEWVA-ranked win over Williams. 

UNDEFEATED TEAMS*

No. 2 Springfield (9-0, 2-0 NEWMAC) at Clark | Sept. 18 | 7:00 PM
No. T-4 Wellesley (7-0, 2-0 NEWMAC) at Wheaton | Sept. 18 | 7:00 PM
No. 6 Bowdoin (8-0, 2-0 NESCAC) at No. 7 Tufts | Sept. 21 | 7:00 PM
No. 11 Amherst (6-0, 1-0 NESCAC) vs. Plymouth St. | Sept. 19 | 7:00 PM

* Rankings are the most recent NEWVA Regional rankings

CONFERENCE LEADERS IN THE POLL

Commonwealth Coast Conference
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.

Great Northeast Athletic Conference
Three teams are tied at 2-0 in GNAC play, including No. 1 Johnson & Wales (R.I.) (9-1, 2-0 GNAC) | NEWVA wins over No. 9 Babson & No. 15 Endicott | Sept. 18 at No. 3 MIT, 7:00 PM 

Little East Conference
Four teams are tied at 1-0 in LEC play, including No. 14 UMass Boston (6-2, 1-0 LEC) | Sept. 18 at Emmanuel, 7:00 PM

Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference
Four teams are tied at 1-0 in MASCAC play.

North Atlantic Conference
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.

New England Collegiate Conference
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.

New England Small College Athletic Conference
Four teams are undefeated in NESCAC play, including No. T-4 Wesleyan, No. 6 Bowdoin, No. 7 Tufts, and No. 11 Amherst.

New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference
Five teams are undefeated in NEWMAC play, including No. 2 Springfield, No. T-4 Wellesley, No. 8 Coast Guard, No. 9 Babson, and No. 10 Wheaton.