GVSU's Grip Tightens on No. 1 in MCLA Division II Coaches Poll

ATLANTA — For the second straight week, Grand Valley State is the top team in the MCLA Division II New Balance Weekly Coaches Poll, and its grip on the top spot continues to get tighter.

GVSU (13-0) picked up three more first-place votes this week to build its total to 21, leaving the Lakers well clear of the field. Grand Valley has a bye into the semifinals of the UMLC tournament that takes place this weekend in Rockford, Ill.

Air Force (7-0) remains in the No. 2 slot, gobbling up the remaining six top ballots. The Falcons conclude their regular season with a pair of conference home games.

Rhode Island (9-1) sits tight at No. 3 after dispatching No. 18 Bridgewater State (9-2) in a CLC throwdown. St. Thomas (12-2), which was tied for third with the Rams last week, dips to No. 4.

Montana State (13-1) rounds out the top 5. The Bobcats have a big matchup Saturday with No. 16 Denver (7-1) in a neutral site game at Sheridan, Wyo.

Appalachian State dipped out of the poll this week to make way for the reemergence of No. 24 Loyola Marymount (10-2).

MCLA DIVISION II
COACHES POLL

1. Grand Valley State, 669 points (21 first-place votes)
2. Air Force, 652 (6)
3. Rhode Island, 596
4. St. Thomas, 592
5. Montana State, 591
6. Kennesaw State, 510
7. Florida Atlantic, 500
8. Coastal Carolina, 487
9. Cal State San Marcos, 478
10. Northwest Nazarene, 423
11. UNC-Charlotte, 386
12. Wake Forest, 367
13. UC San Diego, 365
14. North Dakota State, 339
15. Dayton, 267
16. Denver, 248
17. Utah State, 228
18. Bridgewater State, 181
T19. College of Idaho, 165
T19. Missouri State, 165
21. Montana, 137
22. Northern Arizona, 124
23. Minn.-Duluth, 117
24. Loyola Marymount, 56
25. Western Washington, 47

Others receiving votes: Appalachian State (24), Florida Gulf Coast (23), UNC-Wilmington (21), Miami (6), Tampa (6), William & Mary (2), Georgia Southern (1), Tulane (1), UC Davis (1), UC Santa Cruz (1).