The race at the top of Division III just got a lot tighter. Springfield’s once-comfortable lead has shrunk after a loss to surging New Paltz, while Messiah continues stacking wins and Carthage keeps dominating the Midwest. Across the country, several teams are gaining momentum at the right time; from Aurora’s cross-country upset of UCSC to Randolph-Macon’s statement sweep of Southern Virginia. With conference races heating up and the postseason picture starting to form, the fight for positioning inside the Top 20 is getting more competitive by the week.
1. Springfield
Springfield’s lead at the top is shrinking after the Pride dropped the second match of their home-and-home series with New Paltz in five sets. Wins over Hunter and Elms in their tri-match helped stabilize the week, but the recent losses have finally pulled the Pride back toward the pack in the FrogJump model. After dominating the early season, the gap between them and challengers like Messiah and Carthage is closing quickly. Matches against Sage and MIT should help them regain momentum as we get closer to April.
2. Messiah
Messiah continued its climb toward the top with wins over Widener and a convincing sweep of Vassar. The Falcons are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the top five pack as their résumé keeps strengthening. With Springfield suddenly vulnerable, the race for the #1 spot feels very real. Their March 21st conference showdown with Stevens will have major national implications.
3. Carthage
Carthage kept rolling through the Midwest with comfortable wins over St. Norbert and Augustana. The Firebirds continue to look like the class of their region and remain firmly in the national title tier. Their consistency has been one of the defining traits of the season so far. A matchup with Dominican this weekend provides another opportunity to reinforce their standing.
4. Southern Virginia
Southern Virginia delivered one of the week’s biggest results by sweeping Juniata at home, strengthening their position in the CVC race. The momentum didn’t last long, however, as the Knights were stunned by Randolph-Macon the following day at the Bridgewater tri-match. The split results perfectly capture the volatility near the top of the rankings. Even with the loss, the Knights remain a dangerous team as they look to defend their NCAA championship.
5. Juniata
Juniata’s winning streak came to an abrupt halt with a straight-sets loss to Southern Virginia in the Barn. The defeat gives the Eagles early ground to make up in the CVC race, though their overall résumé remains strong. Despite the setback, they still sit comfortably within the national title tier. This weekend’s tri-match against Mount Union and Stevenson should provide a chance to reset.
6. Cal Lutheran
Cal Lutheran successfully defended home court at the Cal-Lu-Fornia Classic with wins over Wentworth, Kean, and Baldwin Wallace. The Kingsmen continue to stack quality wins and are closing in on the top five tier within our T100 model. Their ranking could rise quickly depending on the results of their remaining tournament matches. With several strong opponents still on the schedule, Cal Lutheran’s résumé will continue to grow rapidly.
7. Stevens
It was a difficult week for Stevens, who fell to NYU before rebounding with a conference win over Hood and then getting swept at home by a surging New Paltz squad. The Ducks suddenly find themselves sliding after what once looked like a firm top-tier position. Their schedule will remain busy this week though, as their upcoming stretch of games include Eastern, Misericordia, followed by Messiah on the 21st.
8. New Paltz
New Paltz has emerged as the hottest team in Division III. The Hawks followed their upset of #1 Springfield with a road sweep of Stevens in Hoboken, a result few teams ever manage. With two top five wins in the last week alone, New Paltz is surging at exactly the right time as conference play intensifies. Their momentum now makes them a serious threat in the UVC race.
9. UCSC
UCSC returned to action with a convincing sweep of Wentworth before dropping a tight five-set match to Aurora. The split results keep the Banana Slugs steady in the rankings but show how thin the margin for error can be. With matches against Kean and Wabash this week, UCSC should be favored but can’t afford to overlook either opponent. Both teams have shown the ability to surprise stronger programs this season.
10. NYU
NYU had an eventful week highlighted by a revenge sweep of Stevens in New York. The excitement cooled quickly when the Violets were reverse-swept by MIT in conference play, but a win over Emmanuel helped stabilize the weekend. The mixed results keep NYU hovering around the middle of the Top 10. With Baruch and Nazareth ahead, they’ll look to keep building momentum.
11. Buffalo State
Buffalo State continued its strong run through conference play with wins over Penn State Altoona and Mount Aloysius. The Bengals now sit at an impressive 20–2 and remain firmly in the Top 20 picture. A rematch with Mount Union awaits this week, but all eyes are likely on their match versus Juniata in April.
12. Aurora
Aurora had a very impressive week. The Spartans won a huge conference battle with Benedictine before traveling to California and upsetting UCSC in five sets. Those results have them surging in the landscape with real momentum behind them. With several tough matches still ahead, Aurora has plenty of opportunities to keep climbing.
13. Loras
Loras endured a difficult stretch with an upset loss to Illinois Wesleyan before rebounding with wins over Benedictine and Marian. The inconsistency has cooled some of the early momentum the Duhawks built earlier this season. They still remain firmly in the Midwest conversation but will need to regain stability. A matchup with Stevens Point should help them get back on track before they focus back on CCIW contests.
14. MIT
MIT had a really good week, picking up conference wins over Elmira and nationally ranked NYU. The Engineers are gaining momentum at the right time and suddenly look dangerous in the UVC race. Their schedule only gets tougher from here. Massive matchups with Springfield and Wentworth await this week.
15. Randolph-Macon
Randolph-Macon may be one of the more underrated programs in the landscape currently. The Yellow Jackets are riding a four-match winning streak highlighted by their stunning sweep of Southern Virginia. That result should force the national conversation to take them more seriously. If the momentum continues, they could become a dangerous postseason team.
16. MSOE
MSOE continued its steady conference performance with sweeps of Lakeland and Illinois Tech. The Raiders remain firmly positioned near the top of the NACC standings and are pushing toward the conference’s top postseason seed. Their consistency in league play has been key. Upcoming matches with Marian and Benedictine will test that stability.
17. Lasell
Lasell handled Elmira in straight sets and continues to quietly hold its place in the rankings. The Lasers now face a lighter stretch of the schedule before bigger tests arrive later in March. Their positioning in the GNAC race remains strong, as their win over Wentworth has likely locked them into hosting as the #1 seed barring any unforeseen upsets. The upcoming matchup with Hobart could prove especially important for national bragging rights.
18. Hobart
Hobart took a break from competition but entered the week on a strong upward trajectory. Wins over Nazareth, St. John Fisher, and Vassar before the break pushed the Statesmen to 3–0 in UVC play. After a tough non-conference schedule early in the year, they appear to be finding their rhythm. Conference play resumes this weekend with a trip to Elmira.
19. Dominican
Dominican picked up a conference win over Concordia Chicago to maintain its place in the Top 20. The Stars continue to hover in the NACC race and will soon face a major out of conference test. Thursday’s conference match with Illinois Tech comes first, but the real spotlight will be on Saturday’s showdown with Carthage. That matchup could reveal how high Dominican’s ceiling truly is.
20. Baldwin Wallace
Baldwin Wallace picked up a solid upset win over Wentworth in five sets before falling to Cal Lutheran in four during the Cal-Lu-Fornia Invitational. The split results keep the Yellow Jackets hovering around the edge of the Top 20 while showing they can compete with strong national opponents. Their matches versus Aurora and Kean tonight will be their last out of conference tests before they shift focus to MCVL matches.
Next Five
21. Rutgers-Newark
22. Wentworth
23. Illinois Wesleyan
24. Vassar
25. Wittenberg