Welcome to the seventh Pondtalk of 2025! For those who are new 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.
Conference games have officially kicked off, which ones have the most potential for intrigue moving forward?
Ramius: While the UVC matches were a heavy theme this weekend, I actually think the CCIW might be a little more competitive than I originally thought this year. While Carthage might have swept the headline with their 3-0 win over the Duhawks, that game was incredibly close. Carthage won the match with set scores of 25-23, 25-23, 25-22… in a game where they hit over .500. How is that possible? Well, Loras hit .368, and Corey Mayotte might just be the best player in the midwest (again?). These two as it stands are definitely favorites to make their conference final, and I doubt either team hits as well in the rematch.
Harvey: Per usual, the UVC has the most intrigue. Vassar remaining 3-0 despite battling flu, mono, and whatever other diseases is pretty impressive. Additionally, New Paltz sitting at 2-0 after a rough non-conference performance is equally impressive. Elmira, Hobart, and MIT all sit winless in conference play but none of those programs are slouches and only one will miss out. Facing off against either Andrew Kim or Grant Oh as a potential 6 seed in UVC playoffs is a scary thought.
Lindsay: I talked about Carthage vs Loras last week and although it was a clinic on offense from both teams, Carthage won in 3. The CVC now has me the most intrigued. I’m looking ahead to Juniata and SVU.
Who’s the favorite for each conference halfway through the season?
| Conference | Ramius | Harvey | Lindsay |
| UVC | Anyone who makes the tournament (but probably NYU) | NYU | NYU |
| CVC | SVU | SVU | SVU |
| MAC | Stevens | Stevens | Stevens |
| GNAC | Wentworth | Wentworth | Wentworth |
| AMCC | Buffalo State | Buffalo State | Buffalo st |
| CUNYAC | Baruch | Baruch | Baruch |
| NACC | Aurora | Aurora | Dominican |
| CCIW | Carthage | Carthage | Carthage |
| UEC | Lancaster Bible | Lancaster Bible | Lancaster Bible |
| MCVL | Mount Union | Baldwin Wallace | Mt Union |
| Skyline | NJCU | NJCU | SJLI |
| ODAC | Randolph-Macon | Randolph-Macon | Randolph-Macon |
| NEVC | Nichols | Nichols | Nichols |
| PAC | Thiel | Thiel | Hiram |
What teams have played themselves into strong positions for at-large bids at this point of the year?
Ramius: This will be the first year of NPI shaping the tournament, so most of what I say should be taken with a grain of salt given there’s still a whole month of March matches left. But if the season ended today I think these teams should be considered safe bets: NYU, Vassar, SVU, Juniata, Stevens, Messiah, Springfield, Cal Lutheran, Carthage.
Harvey: I don’t like putting teams in the at-large position as much as I do conferences, since there is so much to be decided. But I will try to do my best.
UVC Runner-Up: NYU/Vassar
CVC Runner-Up: SVU/Juniata
MAC Runner-Up: Stevens/Messiah
Springfield (duh)
Cal Lutheran (duh)
The other options of how it could play out: Saving a team from a potential conference tournament upset (Carthage, Wentworth, etc.) It could go to a deserving runner-up (Loras), or could go to a team that gets hot down the stretch of the season (St. John Fisher, North Central, UCSC)
Lindsay: Harvey has a much better understanding of the at large system. I do think with how close everything has been, we will be surprised to see a few deserving teams miss the tourney.
Which result caught your eye the most this past week?
Harvey: Carthage decimating both NCC and Loras had them jump into my top 3. Loras had no answer for the Carthage offense which was firing on all cylinders. The Firebirds are very close to jumping into my top tier of National Title Contenders.
Lindsay: How about Springfield putting the clamps on Sherman and coming out with a pretty convincing 4 set win. I’ve had Springfield in my top 5 but this win has me more convinced of their strength.
Ramius: The Springfield win over Stevens probably has the most significant national implications. Springfield has now clinched back to back wins over two top five programs, this strengthens their case for an at-large bid at the end of the year in the NPI format.
What are some of the best matches to keep our eyes on as we head into this weekend? Who’s potentially on upset alert?
Ramius: Springfield vs New Paltz Wednesday is on my radar as an obvious choice. The second match of their home and home series, both teams are coming off huge wins and playing good ball at the halfway point of the year. A win for Springfield helps pad the t-large resume, a win for New Paltz helps build momentum for the UVC conference gauntlet.
Harvey: Loras is taking the NACC tour, showing down with Aurora on Friday night and the Dominican on Saturday. As mentioned above, I think Carthage has shown themselves as the true class of the midwest but Loras or Aurora can take control of the second spot with a win.
For upset alert, I have NP vs. Wentworth on my radar. Wentworth is coming off a long extended break and New Paltz is playing some of their best ball at the moment.
Lindsay: Vassar vs Hobart is my watch of the week. Both teams look like they’ve been using some different lineups. Andrew Kim will certainly be looking to get a W against his former team.
Who’s your top 5 based on the last week of matches?
Ramius: NYU, SVU, Cal Lutheran, Carthage, Springfield
Harvey: NYU, SVU, Carthage, Springfield, Cal Lutheran
Lindsay: SVU, NYU, Springfield, Cal Lutheran, Carthage