D-I Poll: Chapman Gets a Turn

ATLANTA – For the third time in as many weeks, we have new No. 1 in the MCLA Division I New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll and this time it’s Chapman that receives top billing.

Thanks to the two previous top-ranked teams each losing in the span of four days last week, the Panthers (6-0) vault into big chair by poaching 18 of the 27 first-place votes cast.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown, as three of Chapman’s next four games come against Top 10 outfits, starting with a home affair against No. 5 Utah Valley (5-0) on Thursday.

Brigham Young (4-0) jumps two spots in the poll, settling in at No. 2. The Cougars will get to prove their mettle this week in Jacksonville, Fla., with contests against No. 7 Liberty (6-2) and No. 14 Florida (4-3). BYU accumulated four first-place tallies.

Texas (9-0) is the big mover this week, jumping six spots all the way up to No. 3 – the Longhorns highest-ever ranking. Texas makes the leap after a 3-0 weekend in Berkeley that included a win over former No. 1 and current No. 8 Georgia Tech (8-2). The ‘Horns were awarded four first-place votes, as well.

Virginia Tech (8-1), which slipped out of the top spot last week, checks in at No. 4 after an idle interval. The Hokies will resume play with a bang, hosting Chapman and Utah Valley in a three-day span starting on March 21.

Georgia (3-5) left the Top 25 this week to make way for Indiana (6-0). The Hoosiers enter the poll for the first time in a decade.

MCLA D-I New Balance Coaches Poll – Week 4

Others receiving votes: Georgia (36), Boise State (30), Clemson (30), Utah (23), Southern Methodist (21), Michigan State (13), Sonoma State (11), Baylor (7), New Hampshire (4), West Virginia (4), Boston College (2).