1/25/2026
The 2026 Division III men’s volleyball season is three weeks underway, and we have enough data to present the first Inside Hitter computer ranking. The data reveals an intriguing landscape across the nation’s 119 active programs. This presentation represents matches played through Saturday night, 1/24/26. It’s our first run of the season so please give us heads up if you see any discrepancies or missing matches.
Top 20 Overview
Juniata College claims the top spot with a perfect 8-0 record and an unblemished 24-0 set record, posting an impressive 27.88 rating. The Eagles have compiled a +7.2 average differential per set while navigating a challenging schedule (23.86 SSF).
Carthage sits at #2 with a 27.53 rating, also sporting a perfect 4-0 match record and 12-0 set record. The Firebirds have faced one of the toughest schedules in the top 20 (24.68 SSF) while maintaining a +7.0 average differential.
Aurora (#3, 26.75) and UC Santa Cruz (#4, 26.58) round out the top four. The Spartans remain undefeated at 2-0 with a perfect 6-0 set record against the nation’s toughest schedule among ranked teams (25.40 SSF). The Banana Slugs are 4-0 in matches but have dropped four sets (12-4), navigating the highest SSF among top-20 teams at 27.30.
Cal Lutheran (#5, 26.27) is the highest-ranked team with a loss, standing 5-1 overall with a 16-3 set record and facing a demanding 25.18 SSF schedule.
The middle of the top 20 features several undefeated teams: Stevens (#6), Southern Virginia (#7), Messiah (#9), MIT (#10), Dominican (#11), Loras (#14), Buffalo State (#17), and Roanoke (#25, just outside the top 20) all remain perfect in match play. Elizabethtown (#27, outside the top 20) and Buffalo State share strong undefeated records at 8-0 and 7-0 respectively, though the Blue Jays face the weakest schedule among unbeaten teams (18.82 SSF).
Springfield (#8) stands out as a .500 team in the top 10, posting a 2-2 record but remaining undefeated against Division III competition while facing the second-toughest schedule in the nation (27.38 SSF). This demonstrates how the computer ranking rewards strength of schedule, with their rating reflecting the quality of competition they’ve faced.
Westminster (#18) has quietly compiled an impressive 8-1 record (25-11 in sets) against a solid 23.18 SSF schedule, making them one of the most active teams in the early season.
Perfect Set Records
Seven teams have yet to drop a set in 2026: Juniata (24-0), Carthage (12-0), Aurora (6-0), Stevens (9-0), Dominican (9-0), Hunter (3-0), and Hood (6-0).
Among these unblemished teams, only Juniata, Carthage, and Stevens have maintained perfection through significant competition, with Hunter having played just three sets and Hood six sets.
Schedule Strength Leaders
Baruch faces the nation’s toughest schedule with a 29.63 SSF, though the Bearcats have struggled, going 0-2 in matches and 0-6 in sets with a -8.0 average differential. Benedictine (28.46 SSF), MSOE (28.27 SSF), and Concordia Wisconsin (27.92 SSF) round out the top four in strength of schedule, with all three programs facing significant challenges.
Among competitive teams, Springfield (27.38 SSF), UC Santa Cruz (27.30 SSF), NYU (26.20 SSF), and Concordia Chicago (26.39 SSF) have faced the most difficult paths.
Dominance by the Numbers
Emerson leads all teams with a remarkable +10.7 average differential per set, though this comes through limited action (just 3-0 in sets). Stevens posts the best differential among teams with significant playing time at +8.8, followed by Hood (+8.3) and Hunter (+8.3), though both Hood and Hunter have played fewer than 10 sets.
Among teams with substantial resumes (15+ sets played), the dominance leaders are: Dominican (+7.6 through 9 sets), Southern Virginia (+7.3 through 15 sets), Juniata (+7.2 through 24 sets), Messiah (+7.1 through 15 sets), Carthage (+7.0 through 12 sets), Aurora (+7.0 through 6 sets), Elizabethtown (+6.0 through 24 sets), Cal Lutheran (+5.7 through 16 sets), MIT (+5.6 through 15 sets), and Ramapo (+5.6 through 6 sets).
On the opposite end, Carlow struggles with a -12.8 differential through 18 sets, followed by Valley Forge (-10.7 through 12 sets) and Cairn (-8.6 through 24 sets), all three programs still seeking their first wins.
The rankings reveal a season already taking shape, with traditional powers asserting themselves while newcomers and rebuilding programs navigate the challenges of competitive Division III volleyball.