via MCLA press releases/website, by Jac Coyne

D-I Poll: Barely Brigham Young

ATLANTA – For the fourth time in as many weeks, there is a new No. 1 in the MCLA Division I New Balance Coaches Poll and this time it’s Brigham Young’s turn to sit atop the poll.

The Cougars (6-0) ascend to the top spot after subduing No. 8 Liberty (7-3) and No. 19 Florida (5-5) in Jacksonville. BYU has close company, however, as No. 2 Utah Valley (6-0) is just three points behind their Beehive State brethren. The Cougars and Wolverines each grabbed 13 first-place votes.

Texas (9-0), which owns the remaining top vote, sat tight at No. 3. The Longhorns are prepping for a big showdown with No. 15 Oregon (6-0) in Austin this Saturday.

Virginia Tech (8-1) held onto its No. 4 position after an idle two weeks, but the Hokies are upwardly mobile. They host No. 5 Chapman (7-1) on Thursday before entertaining Utah Valley on Saturday in Blacksburg.

There were no new additions to the poll this week.

MCLA D-I New Balance Coaches Poll – Week 5

RANK TEAM POINTS 1st VOTES
1. Brigham Young 655 13
2. Utah Valley 652 13
3. Texas 613 1
4. Virginia Tech 583
5. Chapman 577
6. San Diego State 544
7. Georgia Tech 484
8. Liberty 483
9. South Carolina 438
10t. Tennessee 395
10t. UC Santa Barbara 395
12. Colorado 390
13. California 327
14. Florida State 294
15. Oregon 262
16. James Madison 239
17. Arizona State 225
18. Cal Poly 222
19. Florida 205
20. Auburn 196
21. Simon Fraser 146
22. Northeastern 103
23. Colorado State 77
24. Arizona 64
25. Indiana 55

Others receiving votes: Boise State (43), Michigan State (25), Clemson (15), New Hampshire (15), Sonoma State (15), Utah (14), Georgia (8), Baylor (8), West Virginia (7), Southern Methodist (1). 

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D-II Poll: Air Force on Top, Tommies Lurking

ATLANTA – For the second straight week, the Top 7 of the MCLA Division II New Balance Coaches Poll remains static with Air Force leading the way and St. Thomas right behind.

The Falcons (7-0) were idle this week and won’t resume action until April 19 while St. Thomas (9-0) still has two weeks before it runs a three-day gauntlet featuring No. 11 Dayton (2-3), No. 5 Grand Valley State (3-0) and No. 6 Rhode Island (4-0).

Air Force retained 19 first-place votes while the Tommies grabbed the remaining eight.

Montana State (6-1) was idle, as well, but picks back up this weekend when the Bobcats tangle with No. 21 Utah State (5-3) and No. 24 Northern Arizona (6-0).

UNC-Charlotte improved to 8-0 on the season and now await a huge contest against No. 9 Kennesaw State (6-2) on the road.

Loyola Marymount (6-2) left the poll this week to make way for No. 22 College of Idaho (5-1).

MCLA D-II New Balance Coaches Poll – Week 5

RANK TEAM POINTS 1st VOTES
1. Air Force 666 19
2. St. Thomas 657 8
3. Montana State 616
4. UNC-Charlotte 572
5. Grand Valley State 571
6. Rhode Island 533
7. Coastal Carolina 491
8. Florida Atlantic 465
9. Kennesaw State 453
10. Cal State San Marcos 433
11t. Dayton 394
11t. Wake Forest 394
13. Northwest Nazarene 374
14. UC San Diego 333
15. North Dakota State 289
16. Montana 200
17. Denver 193
18. Missouri State 186
19. Western Washington 176
20. Bridgewater State 139
21. Utah State 132
22. College of Idaho 124
23. Minn.-Duluth 122
24. Northern Arizona 100
25. Florida Gulf Coast 98

Others receiving votes: Loyola Marymount (37), Appalachian State (12), UC Davis (11), Tulane (2), Georgia Southern (1), Saint Mary’s (1).