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 the morning of 1/24 was taken into account (sorry Aurora, your win over NCC will count next week).
- Carthage (2-1): The Firebirds remain at the top of the landscape heading into a big weekend. They hit the road for the Wittenberg Invitational to take on Juniata, Messiah, and Wittenberg.
- Springfield (3-0): The young Pride squad had a quick tune up versus Elms last night, and travel to New Jersey to take on Stevens and Ramapo this weekend.
- Stevens Institute of Technology (4-1): The Ducks host a trimatch with Springfield and Ramapo this weekend, and all eyes should be on their match with Springfield.
- Juniata (4-0): Glen DeHaven’s squad remains undefeated after a tremendous showing at the SUNY Poly Invitational. They’ll take on Carthage this weekend at the Wittenberg invitational, a match with huge potential to shake up the landscape.
- New Paltz (5-1): The Hawks return to some well-deserved rest following their Midwest tour, as they don’t play this week. The schedule doesn’t get any easier , as their next three opponents are Springfield, Stevens, and Wentworth.
- St. John Fisher (7-1): The Cardinals will take on Daemen this Sunday in a Division crossover for upstate bragging rights.
- Rutgers-Newark (2-0): The Scarlett Raiders will play Arcadia tonight, before heading to Massachusetts to play Regis and Lasell.
- Messiah (1-0): The Falcons will have some stiff tests this week, as they play Mount Union on Thursday before taking on Mt. St. Joseph, Carthage, and Aurora this weekend at the Wittenberg Invitational.
- Vassar (1-1): The Brewers will look to get back on track this week, as they play Monroe College tonight before hosting SUNY Potsdam and St. Joseph – Long Island this weekend in Poughkeepsie.
- North Central (2-2): The Cardinals lost a five-set battle with regional rival Aurora last night, but will look to get back on track when they host Dominican this weekend.
- Nazareth (7-0): The Golden Flyers travel to Dallas this weekend for a trimatch with Randolph-Macon and Misericordia.
- Southern Virginia (2-0): The Knights come off their sweep of a solid Lancaster Bible team with another test against Arcadia this Friday.
- Wentworth (2-3): The Leopards will look to build some momentum this week, playing Regis on Thursday followed by a tri-match with Colby-Sawyer and MIT this weekend.
- Mount Union (2-0): The Purple Raiders have a chance to make some noise as Messiah comes to town, I’ll be tuning in.
- UC Santa Cruz (5-0): The Banana Slugs break into the top 20 following an undefeated weekend at the Slug Slam. Their next DIII match is a doozy, as they’ll play Carthage February 2nd.
- Loras (3-1): The Duhawks don’t have much time to recover from their loss to Baldwin Wallace, as they face Fontbonne and a much-improved Marian this weekend.
- Baldwin Wallace (5-0): The Yellow Jackets remain undefeated following their 4-set win over Loras. They take on Hiram tonight before heading to Dallas, PA for the Misericordia Classic.
- Benedictine (2-1): Benedictine was able to rebound from their loss to Wittenberg with a sweep of Illinois Wesleyan. They host Wabash and Trine this weekend.
- Randolph-Macon (1-0): The Virginian Yellow Jackets start the season with a 4-set win over Barton college, and kick off DIII competition at the Misericordia classic this weekend. They’ll have a packed slate of matches, taking on Nazareth, Baldwin Wallace, Medaille, and Misericordia.
- Lasell (1-1): The Lasers were able to rebound from their loss to MIT with a sweep of Eastern Nazarene. They host a tri-match this weekend, where they will play Regis and Rutgers-Newark.