Follow
It’s a new-look starting lineup for Penn State, but the defending EIVA champions are the favorites to win the conference again.
The Nittany Lions received all but one first-place votes to finish atop the EIVA Preseason Coaches Poll that was released on Monday.
Penn State will replace three All-American starters after ending last season undefeated in EIVA play and reaching the NCAA Tournament semifinals. All-American Toby Ezeonu returns for the Nittany Lions and was second in the nation last season with a .490 attack percentage.
The Nittany Lions also have won 28 consecutive EIVA regular season matches dating back to 2021.
Penn State received 35 votes and finished eight points ahead of second-place Princeton in the preseason poll. George Mason finished in third place with 22 points and was the only other school besides Penn State to receive a first-place vote.
The EIVA season begins in February and concludes with the six-team EIVA Tournament in April. The winner of the EIVA Tournament will receive the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
2024 EIVA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Penn State – 35 (5) points
2. Princeton – 27 points
3. George Mason – 22 (1) points
4. NJIT
5. Charleston
6. Harvard