Who won the week of college volleyball?
Harvey: I’m not sure I would say they won the week, but it has been a bit since anyone has had a conversation about Stevens. They are decimating everyone who comes across their path at this point. Most impressively they are doing it with their starters and their bench. Reminds me of back in 2015 when there was an argument that the Stevens/Springfield benches would qualify for the NCAA tournament if they were a separate team.
Ramius: Odd take from me, but I’m going to say it’s a tie between Aurora and Wittenberg. Aurora’s sweep of Benedictine proved the NACC is wide open this year, and it’s now a three man race between them, Benedictine, and Dominican for the NACC Championship (Benedictine previously beat Dominican, and Dominican previously beat Aurora in conference play).
Wittenberg may have lost to Hiram to start the week, but they followed it up with big conference wins over reigning MCVL champ Baldwin Wallace and Mount Union. They firmly sit atop the MCVL standings for now and look to be peaking just in time for playoffs.
Lindsay: There wasn’t too much to mention outside of what the guys below above. I’ll say the teams on spring break that were able to take a break and mentally reset. The season is long. Sometimes it’s nice to have a few days off, try to catch some warm weather if you can find it and just relax.
Which student-athlete is making an under the radar run at All-American status?
Ramius: I’m going to go with Reese Ganter out of Juniata. The Senior setter has taken a huge step forward in terms of production this year, leading the nation in assists (10.8 Assists/set) with an offense that’s hitting .306. The Eagles remain a potential NCAA tournament team in his hands, and I think an All-American nod might be in his future too.
Harvey: Stevenson is a squad that continues to fly under the radar, and they are being led by their stud outside, Tim Flanagan. The junior currently ranks 3rd nationally in Kills/Set and is still hitting .329 in the process. With big performances against New Paltz, SVU, Stevens, and Lasell – he’s already dodged the “bad team bully” accusations. Getting another result or two against NR opponents would help but Tim has positioned himself nicely for postseason accolades.
Lindsay: I think we’ve done a good job at highlighting strong individual performances from squads in the T100 top 20. A few candidates that haven’t gotten much attention even though we’ve talked so much about their teams: Jack Normandin from Nichols and Riley Norman from Santa Cruz. Normandin played well against Springfield and Wentworth. Norman had a 36 kill performance against St John Fisher. I could see both of them being on the list.
Assuming the conference leaders win their respective tournaments, who are your 2 Pool C picks?
Harvey: Right now the two heavy hitters are coming from the traditional powers, the CVC and UVC. Vassar has gotten some quality results in the region and will need the H2H over NP to secure 2nd banana in the UVC. Juniata got some really big non-conference results including an important H2H over Carthage keeping the Firebirds on the outside looking in at the moment.
Ramius: Hard to say until the final numbers are set in stone; but if the season ended today I’d put money on Vassar and Juniata (no particular order). Vassar doesn’t have any bad losses and I’m currently tracking them to be near the top of region 2. Juniata has the next best resume of the remaining Pool C’s assuming Southern Virginia wins the CVC, with (potentially) regional ranked wins over Carthage (impactful cross region win), Hobart, Nazareth, and Messiah putting them near the top of their own region.
Lindsay: Two pool C picks seem like not enough. If things play out the way the guys are saying, it’s going to be a cold April in the midwest. I’d bet both Vassar and St John Fisher represent the UVC in the NCAA tourney.
What matches do you have on your radar this upcoming week? Who is on upset alert?
Harvey: The fate of the CVC is on the line this week as SVU and JC square off. I think SVU is considered the heavy favorite but this rivalry always gives more than was bargained for.
I’m putting North Central on upset alert against Augustanna. The Cardinals best not be caught looking ahead to their rematch against Carthage- or they can get tripped up by Rock Island’s finest who took them the distance before falling in 5 the first time around.
Lindsay: Harvey, I’m looking ahead to NCC vs Carthage. The first one had us all in the feels. I can’t imagine the second match is going to be disappointing.
Ramius: I’m putting MIT vs Hobart on everyone’s radar this week. The UVC is currently in a horse race for the 3-6 seeds, so every match is important. Hobart has the best player in the conference in Andrew Kim, but MIT is probably one of the best defensive teams in the country. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game went 5 sets.
Who are your personal top 5?
Ramius: Wentworth, Stevens, Southern Virginia, Loras, Cal Lutheran
Harvey: Wentworth, Stevens, Southern Virginia, Loras, Cal Lutheran
Lindsay: Southern Virginia, Wentworth, Stevens, Cal Lutheran, Loras