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 1/31 was taken into account.
- Stevens (9-1): Following their 4-set victory over Springfield, the Ducks rise to the top of the landscape. They have the best resume of any team in D3VB up to this point, with ranked wins over St. John Fisher, Vassar, and Springfield. They have an oppurtunity to solidfy their grip on the division this weekend, as they take on New Paltz and Wentworth in a tri-match at New Paltz.
- Juniata (7-0): The Eagles went undefeated at the Wittenberg tournament and shocked the world by knocking off Carthage in a grueling 5-set showdown. They’ll put their undefeated streak to the test at their own tournament this weekend, as they take on Geneva, St. John Fisher, and Stevenson. See you there.
- Messiah (6-0): If Juniata knocked off Carthage, then Messiah buried them six feet under. Messiah looks all the part of an elite team this year following their undefeated Midwest trip and a thrilling 5-set win over Rutgers-Newark last night. They don’t have much time to rest sadly, as they head to Huntington this weekend to take on Geneva and St. John Fisher.
- Springfield (5-1): The Pride reminded everyone who they were last night, as they thoroughly handled New Paltz in Blake Arena. They’ll host a tri-match this weekend against Rivier and SUNY Potsdam.
- SUNY New Paltz (5-2): The Hawks don’t have much time to recover following their loss to Springfield, as they host a grueling tri-match this weekend with Wentworth and Stevens coming to town.
- Carthage (3-3): The Firebirds fall from their perch atop the landscape following losses to Juniata and Messiah, but I’d be foolish not to remind everyone this team has been here before. They’ll host the much-improved Banana Slugs tonight in Tarble Arena, a game everyone should have their eyes on.
- Vassar (3-1): The Brew Crew asserted dominance last weekend with two wins over SUNY Potsdam and St. Joseph-Long Island. They’ll host a tri-match this weekend, as Misericordia and Lasell come to Poughkeepsie.
- St. John Fisher (7-2): The Cardinals have a huge opportunity this weekend to prove they belong at the top of the division, as they take on Juniata and Messiah at the Juniata Invitational. See you there!
- North Central (4-2): The Cardinals are fresh off a clean sweep of MSOE and will look to keep the ball rolling as they travel to take on a much-improved CUW team on Wednesday.
- Nazareth (10-0): Nazareth comes off a quiet week with two matches this weekend. They’ll play SUNY Potsdam and Mount Union on Saturday.
- Rutgers-Newark (4-2): The Scarlet Raiders lost a tough 5-set match against Messiah. They have a bit of time to rest until their next match, as they take on NYU at the International Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic on February 10th.
- Southern Virginia (3-0): I think the Knights have been flying under the radar this year so far, so i encourage everyone to pay attention to their matches this week. They’ll play California Lutheran tomorrow and Randolph-Macon on Saturday.
- Lasell (3-1): The Lasers grabbed a solid win over Rutgers last weekend and will take on Misericordia and Vassar this weekend in Poughkeepsie.
- Benedictine (4-1): Following their sweep of Trine, the Eagles have a huge game Saturday as they travel to Kenosha to play Carthage.
- Wentworth (4-4): The Leopards are still trying to find their groove following a loss to MIT but have a great oppurtunity this weekend when they take on Stevens and New Paltz in my hometown.
- Loras (5-1): The Duhawks ended last weekend with two wins over Fontbonne and Marian. Outside their loss to Baldwin Walace, their strong start to the season is making them an early player in the regional rankings race. Matches against Benedictine and CUW next week will carry extra importance.
- UC Santa Cruz (7-2): The Banana Slugs need no hype from me, but will look to prove it tonight against Carthage!
- MIT (4-1): Outside their surprising loss to Eastern Nazarene, the Engineers enter our top 20 off the back of two wins over Lasell and Wentworth. They’ll take on Endicott tonight in one of our feature matches.
- CUW (2-0): The young falcons host their own tournament this weekend, and will look to make a name for themselves as they take on Trine, Mount Union, and UC Santa Cruz.
- Elmira (3-1): Elmira rounds out our top 20 this week. Sitting on a three match win streak, they’ll look to extend it to five as with matches against Widener and Elizabethtown this weekend.