The FrogJump Top 20 is our Power Ranking of the DIII Men’s Volleyball Landscape. Our algorithm uses a host of different variables, including the cumulative statistics of D3VB men’s programs throughout the season. This allows us to reflect the ever changing dynamics within the landscape as teams compete to be the best in the nation.
The better a team performs, the higher they’ll climb in our model. As it stands, only match data up to 2/7/22 was taken into account (sorry Southern Virginia, the Marymount win will be reflected next week). Five teams in our model remain undefeated and one team has a losing record through the first month of play.
- Springfield: The Pride remain at the top of the landscape after continuing their winning streak at the Morgan Classic. The have a murderers row of opponents on deck, as their next six games are against Stevens, Rivier (2x), New Paltz, Wentworth, and a rematch with Vassar.
- Vassar: The Brewers have positioned themselves to be the foil to Springfield this year. Following their 5-set loss to the Pride at the Morgan Classic, Vassar rebounded with a sweep over UVC rival NYU. They’ll kick off official conference play this Saturday (2/12) against MIT in Cambridge.
- Wentworth Institute of Technology: The Leopards remain undefeated and are slowly cementing their place in the top 5 this year behind the break out play of Laboo and company. They’re on the road this week, facing a stiff test against Rivier on Thursday (2/10).
- Dominican: The stars lost a tightly contested 5-set battle against rising midwest power North Central, but manhandled Wabash the following Tuesday. They’ll host North Park on 2/11 before kicking off NACC play against CUW on 2/18.
- Stevens Institute of Technology: The Ducks remain undefeated after grinding through two incredibly close matches against MIT and Rivier (go check the box scores). They travel to Hunter tonight (2/9), and then head out to Springfield for a tri-match versus the Pride and Rivier.
- North Central College: The Cardinals are finally coming of age, as the squad’s wins over Benedictine and Dominican have given them a shot to claim the “Best of the Midwest” crown this year. They have another test tonight against a solid MSOE team before hosting Mount Union on 2/12.
- Rutgers University – Newark: The Scarlet Raiders remain a player in the CVC following their 5-set win over Juniata. Zaleck has had monster performances lately, and will look to keep the ball rolling in their tri-match with Nazareth and Baldwin Wallace this weekend.
- Southern Virginia University: Following their upset loss to Stevenson, Southern Virginia rebounded nicely with a 3-1 win over Marymount. They’ll play Immaculata and Mt. St. Joseph on 2/12.
- Marymount: The Saints finally taste defeat after a 4-set loss to Southern Virginia, but they don’t have much time to dwell. A solid Cal Lutheran squad is on deck for 2/10, and they’ll need to bring their A-game to avoid an upset.
- Juniata: The Eagles rebounded from their 5-set loss to Rutgers with sweeps over PSU-Altoona and Thiel. They’ll travel to Kean this weekend for a CVC conference game, followed by a match versus SUNY Potsdam.
- Carthage: The Firebirds hosted UC Santa Cruz this weekend for their ring and banner celebration. They capped the night with a 3-1 win over the Banana Slugs, and have CUW on deck tonight (2/12).
- Loras: Loras remains in the “Best of the Midwest” conversation, as they remain undefeated this year with wins over Benedictine and Fontbonne. They’ll travel to Edgewood before heading to St. Louis for a rematch with Fontbonne. I’ll (Ramius) be in the city for the Dennis Lafatta Classic, so you best bet I’ll be present for the match if we’re in the AM wave.
- St. John Fisher: After starting the season 7-0, SJF is currently 1-2 in their last three matches. This current “rough patch” comes off of two 5-set losses to Juniata and Daemen (DI/II), where the Cardinals displayed all the skills of a D3VB powerhouse. They’ll look to get back on track this weekend at their own invitational, where they’ll face off against Baldwin Wallace and Rutgers-Newark.
- Nazareth: The Golden Flyers went undefeated at the Steel City Freeze tournament, with wins over Wittenberg, Thiel, and Mount Union. They’ll host a surprisingly improved SUNY Poly, followed by a showdown with D3VB power Rutgers in the night cap.
- Stevenson: The Mustangs continue to prove they can/will play with anyone, as they swept CVC powerhouse Southern Virginia and Lancaster Bible in the same day. They’ll travel to Randolph-Macon this weekend for another battle in the Old Dominion, before hosting Marymount at home on 2/16.
- Fontbonne: The Griffins rebounded from their loss to Loras with a 4-set win over Illinois Wesleyan. The Fontbonne Invitational starts Friday, where Augustana, Loras, and Concordia-Chicago are coming to town. I’ll be in St. Louis for the weekend, so you best bet I’ll be trying to come through (schedule allowing) and watch some D3VB action!
- New York University: The Violets were able to rebound from their 0-2 weekend at the Morgan Classic with a sweep of fellow NYC program Baruch. They’ll kick off UVC conference play Friday as Bard comes to the Big Apple.
- Messiah: The Falcons are starting to find their stride after a tough start to the season. Coach Beachy’s squad just hit .587 in a sweep over King’s College, and will have their endurance tested as they play three matches in two days. They’ll host Geneva then travel for a tri-match against Wilkes and Wells.
- Benedictine: At 2-3, last years NCAA runner up remains the only team in our power ranking with a losing record. Not many programs tested themselves early like the Eagles did this year. Four of their first five matches were against Loras (L), North Central (L), Wentworth (L) and MIT (W). This team will find their stride in time, April is a long way away. .
- Endicott: Endicott shocked the world with a 3-1 upset over NYU at the Morgan Classic, eventually falling in the Championship match to Springfield 3-0. The Gulls will travel to an up and coming Lasell team on Thursday (2/10) before hosting Regis at home on Saturday.
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