NEWVA Releases First Regional Poll of 2021

BEVERLY, Mass. - September 28, 2021 - For the first NEWVA coaches poll of the 2021 season, the Engineers of MIT have earned the top spot, garnering six of 10 possible first place votes. Currently ranked No. 22 in the most recent AVCA DIII Coaches Poll, MIT is currently 13-0 overall, and 4-0 in NEWMAC play, having dropped only seven sets all season.

The second NEWVA regional poll will be released on Tuesday, October 5.

NEWVA REGIONAL POLL NO. 1

1. No. 22 MIT (13-0, 4-0 NEWMAC) | 144 points | 6 first place votes
2. Springfield (11-1, 3-1 NEWMAC) | 126 points
3. Wesleyan (7-1, 2-1 NESCAC) | 118 points | 1 first place vote
4. Babson (11-1, 3-1 NEWMAC) | 116 points | 2 first place votes
5. No. 25 Tufts (8-2, 2-1 NESCAC) | 111 points
6. Middlebury (10-0, 3-0 NESCAC) | 110 points
7. Williams (8-0, 2-0 NESCAC) | 94 points | 1 first place vote
8. Endicott (7-3, 2-0 CCC) | 77 points
9. Amherst (6-1, 2-1 NESCAC) | 72 points
10. Emerson (7-3, 2-1 NEWMAC) | 63 points
11. Plymouth St. (11-0, 1-0 LEC) | 37 points
12. Eastern Conn. (9-1, 2-0 LEC) | 33 points
13. Wheaton (8-5, 1-3 NEWMAC) | 26 points
14. Clark (9-4, 2-1 NEWMAC) | 8 points
15. Gordon (7-4, 1-1 CCC) | 5 points

Also receiving votes: Brandeis, Suffolk
(Order between tied teams based off first place votes. Teams receiving votes must appear on two ballots or more, and must be above .500 overall)

THE TOP FIVE

1. No. 22 (AVCA) MIT (13-0, 4-0 NEWMAC) | 144 points | 6 first place votes

One of three undefeated teams remaining in the NEWVA top 15 poll, the Engineers have yet to be stopped, only going to five sets twice on the season, first by NEWVA No. 8 Endicott, then NEWVA No. 10 Emerson. Other highlight wins include then AVCA No. 20 Bowdoin, Wellesley and WPI.

2. Springfield (11-1, 3-1 NEWMAC) | 126 points

The Pride started out the season with 11 straight wins before suffering their first setback. During the season-opening 11 match win streak, Springfield knocked off Babson (NEWVA No. 4), Tufts (NEWVA No. 5), Endicott (NEWVA No. 8) and Brandeis (NEWVA RV), before falling to Emerson 3-0 (NEWVA No. 10).

3. Wesleyan (7-1, 2-1 NESCAC) | 118 points | 1 first place vote

Wesleyan is currently 7-1 overall on the season, highlighted by knocking off then No. 21 ranked Tufts 3-2, and two wins over Kean. The lone loss for the Cardinals at this point came at the hands of NESCAC foe Bowdoin by a 3-1 final.

4. Babson (11-1, 3-1 NEWMAC) | 116 points | 2 first place votes

Babson is currently 11-1 on the season, having only dropped five sets in total to date. The lone loss on the season is to Springfield 3-1 (NEWVA No. 3), while highlight wins to date include Coast Guard 3-1, JWU 3-0, and Wellesley 3-0.

5. Tufts (8-2, 2-1 NESCAC) | 111 points

The Jumbos are currently 8-2 on the season which includes two wins over Brandeis (NEWVA RV), and one over Bowdoin, while their only losses have been to Springfield 3-1 (NEWVA No. 3) and Wesleyan 3-2 (NEWVA No. 2).

UNDEFEATED TEAMS*

* Rankings are the most recent NEWVA Regional rankings

CONFERENCE LEADERS IN THE POLL

Commonwealth Coast Conference
No. 8 Endicott

Great Northeast Athletic Conference
N/A

Little East Conference
No. 11 Plymouth St., No. 12 Eastern Connecticut State

Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference
N/A

North Atlantic Conference
N/A

New England Collegiate Conference
N/A

New England Small College Athletic Conference
No. 3 Wesleyan, No. 5 Wesleyan, No. 6 Middlebury, No. 7 Williams, No. 9 Amherst

New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference
No. 1 MIT, No. 2 Springfield, No. 4 Babson, No. 10 Emerson, No. 13 Wheaton, No. 14 Clark

*Photo Courtesy of MIT Athletic Communications