Grand Valley State Ends Air Force's Run Atop MCLA Division II Coaches Poll

ATLANTA — In the wake of a pivotal three-game sweep of ranked teams in Ohio, Grand Valley State has vaulted into the top spot of the MCLA Division II New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll for the first time this spring.

The Lakers (9-0) posted victories over T-No. 3 St. Thomas (10-2), T-No. 3 Rhode Island (8-1) and No. 15 Dayton (2-6) to move up three spots on the week. GVSU was bolstered by 18 of the 27 first-place votes this session.

Grand Valley ended Air Force’s (7-0) six-week reign as top dog. The Falcons dropped one spot to the second chair, aided by the remaining nine first-place ballots.

After Rhode Island and St. Thomas, Montana State (11-1) drops a spot to No. 5 despite posting a ranked win over the weekend.

Appalachian State (5-2) enters the poll at No. 25 for the first time this season, bumping Loyola Marymount (10-2).

MCLA DIVISION II
COACHES POLL

1. Grand Valley State, 660 points (18 first-place votes)
2. Air Force, 653 (9)
T3. Rhode Island, 596
T3. St. Thomas, 596
5. Montana State, 595
6. Kennesaw State, 514
T7. Florida Atlantic, 485
T7. UNC-Charlotte, 485
9. Coastal Carolina, 482
10. Cal State San Marcos, 445
11. Northwest Nazarene, 391
12. WakeForest, 379
13. UC San Diego, 344
14. North Dakota State, 318
15. Dayton, 285
16. Denver, 257
17. Utah State, 220
18. Bridgewater State, 191
19. College of Idaho, 156
20. Montana, 147
21. Northern Arizona, 120
22. Minn.-Duluth, 114
23. Missouri State, 112
24. Western Washington, 77
25. Appalachian State, 59

Others receiving votes: Loyola Marymount (47), Florida Gulf Coast (29), Tampa (7), Miami (3), Saint Mary’s (2), UNC-Wilmington (2), William & Mary (2), UC Davis (1), Tulane (1)