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For the second consecutive week, BYU remains No. 1 in the national rankings.
The Cougars received every first-place vote to finish atop the newest national media poll released Tuesday.
Check out this week’s top 10 men’s volleyball media poll and my ballot with explanations on why I ranked each team where I did.
Let the debate begin on who are the best teams in the nation.
Volleyball Magazine Men’s Division I-II Top 10 Poll
1. BYU — 100 (10) points
2. UC Irvine — 82 points
3. Stanford — 78 points
4. Penn State — 75 points
5. UCLA — 54 points
6. Long Beach State — 46 points
7. Pepperdine — 45 points
8. USC — 33 points
9. Cal State Northridge — 15 points
10. Ohio State — 14 points
Others receiving votes: Lewis, Pacific, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Baptist, UC San Diego, Hawai’i
My Volleyball Magazine Men’s Division I-II Top 10 Poll ballot
1. BYU (5-1, 4-0 MPSF)
Last week’s results: idle
The Cougars’ bye week didn’t change much — they are still No. 1 on my ballot.
2. Penn State (6-1, 2-0 EIVA)
Last week’s results: defeated Sacred Heart and Harvard
The EIVA is good this year, as evident by Harvard pushing Penn State to five game without its all-conference outside attacker D.J. White. However, still don’t be shocked if Penn State has a 20-match winning steak by late March.
3. Stanford (6-2, 3-2 MPSF)
Last week’s results: defeated UCLA and UC Santa Barbara
Freshman setter James Shaw is the real deal. Stanford’s offense has at least a .300 attack percentage in all its matches this season.
4. UC Irvine (6-3, 3-3 MPSF)
Last week’s results: defeated Cal State Nothridge and Long Beach State
Outside attacker Kevin Tillie had his first 20-plus kills match of the season in a victory against Long Beach State. If Tillie gets on a roll, the Anteaters will be dangerous.
5. Pepperdine (3-3, 3-3 MPSF)
Last week’s results: lost to Hawai’i twice
The Waves struggled in Hawaii — but in fairness a lot of quality teams may do that this year.
6. Ohio State (5-2, 2-0 MIVA)
Last week’s results: defeated Lindenwood twice
Libero Brennan Anderson is among the national leaders with a 3.04 digs per game average. That type of back-row defense will keep the Buckeyes in most matches.
7. Long Beach State (6-3, 4-2 MPSF)
Last week’s results: defeated UC San Diego, lost to UC Irvine
Long Beach State’s five-game loss to UC Irvine was more impressive than its win this week. The 49ers are getting closer and closer to becoming an elite team.
8. UCLA (7-4, 3-2 MPSF)
Last week’s results: defeated Pacific, lost to Stanford
The more you hear coach John Speraw publicly speak about his program, the more you think UCLA could win multiple NCAA championships in the next five yeas.
9. Pacific (3-3, 2-3 MPSF)
Last week’s results: defeated UC Santa Barbara, lost to UCLA
To think three years ago this program almost went winless in conference play. The Tigers will be in the hunt for a MPSF Tournament berth this year.
10. USC (2-2, 2-2 MPSF)
Last week’s results: idle
For the second straight week, I have zero idea where to rank this team with their jekyll-and-hyde resume. Thanks bye week.
ON THE BUBBLE
Ball State — If Ball State can win its two MIVA matches this weekend to improve to 7-0, it will be in my ballot next week.
Princeton — We’ll see if this team is top 10 worth after its season-opening MPSF road trip.