BEVERLY, Mass. - September 12, 2019 - With two weeks of the 2019 season complete, Johnson & Wales (R.I.) and Wesleyan are tied for the top spot in the first NEWVA Regional Poll of the season. JWU, currently ranked fifth in the country in the most recent AVCA Division III Coaches Poll, is 5-1 on the season, while Wesleyan, ranked 16th, is currently 3-0.
The second NEWVA regional poll will be released on Tueday, September 17.
NEWVA REGIONAL POLL NO. 1
T-1. No. 16 Wesleyan (Conn.) (3-0, 0-0 NESCAC) | 126 points | 4 first place votes
T-1. No. 5 JWU (R.I.) (5-1, 0-0 GNAC) | 126 points | 3 first place votes
3. Babson (4-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) | 119 points | 2 first place votes
4. Endicott (5-2, 0-0 CCC) | 102 points
5. Tufts (4-0, 0-0 NESCAC) | 86 points
6. Wellesley (4-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) | 83 points
7. MIT (6-2, 0-0 NEWMAC) | 72 points
8. Springfield (6-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) | 71 points
9. Amherst (3-0, 0-0 NESCAC) | 70 points
10. Bowdoin (1-2, 0-0 NESCAC) | 49 points
11. Middlebury (2-0, 0-0 NESCAC) | 42 points
12. Wentworth (5-2, 0-0 CCC) | 27 points
13. Plymouth St. (9-1, 0-0 LEC) | 19 points
14. Wheaton (5-3, 0-0 NEWMAC) | 18 points
15. WPI (4-2, 0-0 NEWMAC) | 8 points
Also receiving votes: Maine Maritime, Roger Williams
(Order between tied teams based off first place votes. Teams receiving votes must appear on two ballots or more)
THE TOP FIVE
T-1. No. 16 Wesleyan (Conn.) (3-0, 0-0 GNAC) | 126 points | 4 first place votes
After ending the 2018 campaign with a loss in the NCAA DIII Quarterfinals to Juniata 3-2, Wesleyan has started strong in 2019. Currently undefeated through three matches and not having dropped a set, the Cardinals have defeated two NEWVA-ranked teams in Wellesley and Bowdoin.
T-1. No. 5 (AVCA) Johnson & Wales (R.I.) (9-1, 3-0 GNAC) | 126 points | 3 first place votes
Johnson & Wales, the defending GNAC Champions, and 2018 NCAA Regional Finalist, have one lone loss in 2018, to nationally ranked No. 1 Emory in a close four-set battle.
3. Babson (4-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) | 119 points | 2 first place votes
Coming off a 26-9 season in 2018 that ended with a 3-0 loss to Wisconsin Eau-Claire in the NCAA DIII Quarterfinals, Babson is currently 4-0 on the season.
4. Endicott (5-2, 0-0 CCC) | 102 points
Endicott, currently receiving votes for the AVCA DIII Coaches Poll, is 5-2 on the season with a win over nationally ranked No. 14 Christipher Newport, and a win over two NEWVA ranked teams in MIT and WPI.
5. Tufts (4-0, 0-0 NESCAC) | 86 points
The Jumbos are currently 4-0 on the season which includes a sweep of Roger Williams, who is receiving votes in this week's poll.
UNDEFEATED TEAMS*
No. T-1 Wesleyan (3-0) vs. Vassar | Sept. 13 | 7:00 PM
No. 3 Babson (4-0) vs. Geneseo | Sept. 13 | 6:30 PM
No. 5 Tufts (4-0) at Endicott | Sept. 13 | 6:30 PM
No. 9 Amherst (3-0) at Clark | Sept. 13 | 6:00 PM
No. 11 Middlebury (2-0) at Clarkson | Sept. 13 | 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
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.
Little East Conference
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.
Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.
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
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.
New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference
No conference matches have been played as of this poll.