JWU Retains Top Ranking in Second NEWVA Poll

BEVERLY, Mass. - September 25, 2018 - One month into the 2018 campaign, Johnson & Wales (R.I.) remains atop the second NEWVA Regional Poll of 2018. Up to fourth in the most recent AVCA DIII Coaches Poll, the Wildcats were the unanimous top choice for the second consecutive week in the NEWVA poll, garnering all 180 possible points.

The third NEWVA regional poll will be released on Tuesday, October 2.

2018 Polls to Date

September 18, 2018
September 25, 2018

NEWVA REGIONAL POLL NO. 2

1. JWU (R.I.) (13-1, 3-0 GNAC) | 180 points | 12 first place votes
2. Springfield (12-2, 3-0 NEWMAC) | 153 points
3. Bowdoin (10-1, 3-0 NESCAC) | 146 points
4. MIT (12-2, 2-1 NEWMAC) | 142 points
5. Wesleyan (Conn.) (7-1, 3-0 NESCAC) | 138 points
6. Wellesley (8-0, 3-0 NEWMAC) | 121 points
7. Wheaton (14-1, 2-0 NEWMAC| 105 points
T-8. Babson (10-4, 4-0 NEWMAC) | 79 points
T-8. Coast Guard (14-2, 3-1 NEWMAC| 79 points
10. Amherst (9-0, 2-0 NESCAC) | 77 points
11. Tufts (7-5, 2-1 NESCAC) | 67 points
12. Endicott (8-6, 1-0 CCC| 64 points
13. Williams (7-5, 2-1 NESCAC) | 38 points
14. Middlebury (6-2, 1-1 NESCAC| 31 points
15. UMass Boston (7-4, 1-1 LEC) | 10 points

Also receiving votes: Roger Williams, Brandeis
(Teams receiving votes must appear on two ballots or more)

THE TOP FIVE

1. No. 5 (AVCA) Johnson & Wales (R.I.) (13-1, 3-0 GNAC) | 180 points | 12 first place votes

Johnson & Wales went a perfect 4-0 on the week including three wins over NEWVA-ranked teams. The Wildcats started the week with a 3-1 win over MIT (No. 4), before sweeping Scranton on Friday, and knocking off Tufts (No. 11) and Bowdoin (No. 3) by 3-1 counts to win the JWU Invitational.

2. Springfield (12-2, 3-0 NEWMAC) | 153 points

After defeating Clark 3-2 on Tuesday to remain undefeated in NEWMAC play, the Pride then traveled to Galloway, N.J. to compete in the Osprey Classic hosted by Stockton. Springfield went 2-2 at the tournament, falling to Stockton (3-2), and Cabrini (3-0), before defeating Catholic (3-0) and Moravian (3-1).

3. Bowdoin (10-1, 3-0 NESCAC) | 146 points

A 2-1 week that saw the Polar Bears knock off NESCAC foe Tufts 3-2 (No. 11) and Scranton 3-0, Bowdoin makes its first appearance in the NEWVA top fve of the season. The lone blemish on the week was to top-ranked JWU by a 3-1 final.

4. MIT (12-2, 2-1 NEWMAC) | 142 points

MIT drops to fourth in the most recent NEWVA rankings after wrapping up a 2-1 week. The wins saw the Engineers fall to top ranked JWU 3-1 on Tuesday before claiming a pair of victories over Coast Guard 3-1 (No. T-8) and Manhattanville 3-0.

5. Wesleyan (Conn.) (7-1, 3-0 NESCAC) | 138 points

A 3-0 week, including a NEWVA-ranked win, sees Wesleyan round out the top five with 138 points in this week's poll. The Cardinals defeated Connecticut College 3-2 to start the week, before taking down Roger Williams 3-0 (ARV) and Scranton 3-1 on Friday and Saturday, respectively. 

UNDEFEATED TEAMS*

No. 6 Wellesley (8-0, 3-0 NEWMAC) at Smith | Sept. 25 | 7:00 PM
No. 10 Amherst (9-0, 2-0 NESCAC) vs. Connecticut College | Sept. 28 | 7:00 PM

* Rankings are the most recent NEWVA Regional rankings

CONFERENCE LEADERS IN THE POLL

Commonwealth Coast Conference
There are four teams without loss in CCC play, including No. 12 Endicott, and Roger Williams (ARV).

Great Northeast Athletic Conference
Three teams are undefeated in GNAC play, including No. 1 Johnson & Wales (R.I.) (13-1, 3-0 GNAC) | NEWVA wins over No. 3, Bowdoin, No. 4 MIT, No. T-8 Babson, No. 11 Tufts, and No. 12 Endicott.

Little East Conference
Four teams are undefeated in LEC play.

Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference
Three teams are undefeated in MASCAC play.

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

New England Collegiate Conference
Four teams are undefeated in NECC play.

New England Small College Athletic Conference
Three teams are undefeated in NESCAC play, including No. 3 Bowdoin, No. 5 Wesleyan, and No. 10 Amherst.

New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference
Four teams are undefeated in NEWMAC play, including No. 2 Springfield, No. 6 Wellesley,  No. 7 Wheaton, No. T-8 Babson.