via MCLA press release by Jac Coyne

D-I Poll: Virginia Tech Is Back

ATLANTA – After a week’s hiatus, Virginia Tech has resumed its spot as the top team in the MCLA Division I New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll, which was released on March 15.

The Hokies (8-1), which were idle this past week, were the beneficiaries of the former No. 1 taking a loss. Virginia Tech grabbed 12 of the 27 first-place votes to push 20 points clear of the field.

Liberty (5-1), which lost to the Hokies earlier in the season, took down formerly top-ranked Georgia Tech (8-1) over the weekend to jump into the second spot. The Flames grabbed four first-place votes while the Yellow Jackets dropped to No. 3 with five top ballots.

Florida State (9-0) won both of its games this weekend, but were the victims of circumstance and dipped to No. 4 despite six first-place votes.

Boston College (4-1) remained in the No. 5 spot.

Utah Valley (7-0) crept into the Top 10 this weekend with a pair of impressive road wins, checking in at No. 9.

There were no new poll additions or dismissals from last week.

New Balance Division I Coaches Poll – Week 4

RANK TEAM POINTS 1st VOTES
1 Virginia Tech 652 12
2. Liberty 632 4
3. Georgia Tech 627 5
4. Florida State 612 6
5. Boston College 539
6. Florida 531
7. Concordia 523
8. Brigham Young 472
9. Utah Valley 450
10 Chapman 405
11. Arizona 402
12. San Diego State 373
13. Northeastern 331
14. Georgia 328
15. UC Santa Barbara 260
16. California 215
17. Boise State 209
18. Simon Fraser 170
19. Grand Canyon 151
20. LSU 150
21. Colorado 136
22. Southern Methodist 119
23. Colorado State 116
24. Pittsburgh 96
25. Cal Poly 92

Receiving votes: Oregon (54), West Virginia (33), Texas (19), South Carolina (18), Tennessee (17), Utah (10), USC (9), Missouri (7), Texas Christian (5), Texas A&M (4), Illinois (4), New Hampshire (2), Dominican (2).

D-II Poll: It’s Still Rhody
ATLANTA – For the second straight week, it’s Rhode Island in charge of the MCLA Division II New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll, which was released on March 15.

The Rams (6-1) took care of business against former No. 7 – and now No. 10 – Grand Valley State (2-1) at home to remain in the big chair. Rhode Island was awarded 25 of the 27 first-place votes cast.

St. Thomas (2-1), which has been idle for the month of March, remains at No. 2 with the remaining two top votes.

The remainder of the Top 6 remained static as Montana (8-1), Montana State (5-1), Missouri State (3-0) and Kennesaw State (5-1) stay in their three-through-six spots.

There were no additions or subtractions from the Top 25 from last week.

New Balance Division II Coaches Poll – Week 4

RANK TEAM POINTS 1st VOTES
1 Rhode Island 670 25
2. St. Thomas 632 2
3. Montana 601
4. Montana State 585
5. Missouri State 551
6. Kennesaw State 511
7. UC San Diego 482
8. Utah State 472
9. Cal State San Marcos 446
10 Grand Valley State 445
11. Florida Gulf Coast 399
12. UNC-Charlotte 386
13. Dayton 369
14. Wake Forest 316
15. Florida Atlantic 300
16. St. John’s 239
17. College of Idaho 219
18. Air Force 210
19. North Dakota State 170
20. Miami 169
21. UC Davis 152
22. Coastal Carolina 111
23. Minn.-Duluth 89
24. Northwest Nazarene 71
25. Western Washington 66

Receiving votes: Northern Arizona (29), Baylor (23), San Diego (14), Tulane (14), Bridgewater State (13), Utah Tech (11), Georgia Southern (7), Claremont (3), Citadel (1).