For those who are knew to the pond, this article is a roundtable discussion amongst the Frogjump contributors (Harvey, Lindsay, and myself) about D3VB. We’re all given the same set of questions to answer, and each writer speaks from their own point of view, providing individual insight and opinions regarding the storylines of men’s D3VB.
What programs are “winning January”, who’s had the best start to this season in your opinion?
Lindsay: I’ll pick a team that graduated a lot of offense and had some question marks going into this season; Vassar. Currently they’re 6-0 and if you look ahead, I could see them staying undefeated through most of February. Desai and Akoto have been really special in the middle while two new pin hitters are making a huge difference. Shawn Zheng as a freshman is hitting over .400 on the RS while Walter Birnbaum, a sophomore OH is the team leader in points.
Harvey: I’ll go with a hot take and pick St. John Fisher. This crew was being nearly counted out without the general public knowing that Stella and Baker would both be back. With their entire starting line-up back- they should be in the at-large discussion at the season’s end.
Ramius: Baldwin Wallace has to be in consideration here. Their only loss on the season came in 5 sets to Messiah, and they just picked up big wins over UCSC and St. John Fisher to end their invitational. Coach Mars has been dutifully building the program up to this point, and the team is primed to break into the national rankings this week. They’ll next travel to Kenosha to take part in the FrogJump Invitational, and any of the nationally prominent teams there would be wise not to overlook them.
Which result caught your eye the most this past week?
Harvey: Wentworth handling both Hobart and Misericordia after a shaky opening weekend was impressive. The Leopards always have plenty of pop from the service line, but they are playing some serious defense behind a big blocking crew. Mehki Burns and Andrew Ahn are keeping lots of balls alive and frustrating the hell out of some of the country’s best pin attackers.
Lindsay: Southern Viriginia might never lose a match. They absolutely rolled through their opening weekend. What makes me sad is I don’t think we pay attention to what they’re doing until March 5th when they play Juniata. They don’t play a single team currently ranked in the top 20 until that match.
Ramius: NYU continues to put on displays of dominance, handling Hunter, Arcadia and NJCU this past week. Emerson Evans is tearing teams apart at Opposite this year and the team as a whole looks the part of a national contender. Even in an incredibly deep UVC the Violets have so far shown they are a step above the rest to start the year.
What are some of the best matches to keep our eyes on as we head into this opening weekend? Who’s potentially on upset alert?
Ramius: Shameless plug here, but the FrogJump Invitational is going to host matches among 4 of the top 20 teams in the nation over three days in Kenosha. Results among matches between Juniata, Carthage, Baldwin Wallace, and Stevens are going to help shape the narrative of the season going into February. Three of those four teams are currently in contention to be top 5 teams in D3, with Baldwin Wallace recently breaking into the top 20. The games should be electric, and I recommend everyone tune in to watch.
Harvey: I can’t believe none of my colleagues have mentioned the Cougar Kick-Off Classic. The thriving metropolis of Dallas, PA will be home to five nationally ranked teams as part of a 12 match weekend.
- #2 NYU (Messiah – Misericordia – Nichols)
- #14 Messiah (MIT – Nichols – NYU)
- #18 MIT (Messiah – Misericordia – Nichols)
- #19 Nichols (Messiah – Misericordia – NYU)
- #20 Misericordia (MIT – Nichols – NYU)
Lindsay: I know Ramius has talked about the FJ invitational, but my eyes will be on Juniata. We haven’t seen them against a ranked opponent whereas the rest of the field has played tough competition. I think they will have a good trip to the midwest and further solidify themselves as a contender. For an upset, give me Dominican over Cal Lu. Last time these teams played it went to 5. That was a neutral site and now Dominican has them at home.
Who’s your top 5 based on the last week of matches?
Ramius: NYU, Southern Virginia, Cal Lutheran, Carthage, Stevens
Harvey: NYU, Southern Virginia, Cal Lutheran, Carthage, Springfield
Lindsay: Southern Virginia, NYU, Cal Lutheran, Springfield,Carthage