Off the Block releases 2021 Independent Teams Preseason Poll

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Memorial

The top independent team in recent years is once again projected to be the best NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball team for the upcoming season.

Lincoln Memorial received every first-place vote to finish atop the Off the Block Independent Teams Preseason Poll that was released on Wednesday.

The Off the Block Independent Teams Preseason Poll recognizes the NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball programs without a conference affiliation that are projected to be the best during the upcoming season.

There are eight independent teams for the 2021 eason — Alderson Broaddus, Daemen, Limestone, Lincoln Memorial, Queens, St. Francis Brooklyn and Tusculum. In addition, D’Youville is beginning its NCAA transition from Division III to Division II membership and is included with the other independent teams.

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Lincoln Memorial, the two-time defending IVA Tournament champions, finished the shortened 2020 season at 14-4 and ranked No. 7 in the Division II national coaches poll.The Railsplitters also have three All-Independent Team selections returning for the upcoming season.

Daemen ended the preseason poll in second place with 31 points and had nine points fewer than Lincoln Memorial.

The second-place and fifth-place teams in the poll were all within eight points of each other. Queens came in third place with 29 points — edging out fourth-place St. Francis Brooklyn by three points and Limestone by six points.

Tusculum, Alderson Broaddus and D’Youville rounded out the bottom three of the preseason poll.

The Independent Teams Preseason Poll rankings were determined by a nationwide voting committee of the head coaches of independent teams.

The 2021 NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball regular season will begin in January. The majority of independent programs will conclude the upcoming season at the IVA Tournament on April 16-17 at Queens.

Off the Block is a national award winning website established in 2011 and is the nation’s leader in college men’s volleyball coverage. Along with this preseason poll, Off the Block presents the Independent Teams Player of the Week, the All-Independent Team, the Independent Teams Freshman of the Year and the Independent Teams Player of the Year.

2021 Off the Block Independent Teams Preseason

Team Points 2020 record
1. Lincoln Memorial 40 (5) 14-4
2. Daemen 31 12-7
3. Queens 29 6-9
4. St. Francis-Brooklyn 26 5-10
5. Limestone 23 11-5
6. Tusculum 12 5-14
7. Alderson Broaddus 10 1-10
8. D’Youville 10 2-16