Last week the conversation about the EIVA was if Penn State was the clear front-runner and if they had much of a challenge behind them. George Mason more than answered that call by not just downing Penn State, but sweeping them. Does the conversation switch to who can beat George Mason or does it show that the league is more open than once thought?
With new story-lines emerging and a new season of sorts in league play commencing, VolleyMob will be giving conference updates. Below is analysis as well as the weekly EIVA table, awards, matches of the week and power rankings:
EIVA TABLE:
| TEAM | CONF. | OVERALL |
| #15 George Mason | 4-0 | 8-7 |
| #11 Penn State | 4-1 | 9-3 |
| (RV) Charleston | 3-1 | 8-2 |
| Harvard | 3-2 | 3-8 |
| #18 Saint Francis | 2-3 | 7-10 |
| NJIT | 1-2 | 3-9 |
| Princeton | 1-4 | 2-11 |
| Sacred Heart | 0-3 | 2-8 |
WEEKLY HONORS:
MATCHES OF THE WEEK:
- Mar. 2: #11 Penn State at NJIT
- Mar. 2: (RV) Charleston at Harvard
- Mar. 2: #18 Saint Francis at Princeton
- Mar. 3: (RV) Charleston at Harvard
- Mar. 3: #11 Penn State at Princeton
VOLLEYMOB EIVA POWER RANKINGS:
- George Mason
- Penn State
- Saint Francis
- Charleston
- Harvard
- Princeton
- NJIT
- Sacred Heart
A NEW FAVORITE
- #15 George Mason Patriots
The Patriots went into University Park and swept Penn State, so it’s fair to say they are the new league favorite. They’re also unbeaten in EIVA action thus far as they’ve posted a league-best .330 hitting percentage in just conference matches. This isn’t a league that it seems likely for one team to rise to an undefeated mark, so it should be a race to the finish, but right now GMU is the front-runner.
WAKE-UP CALL
- #11 Penn State Nittany Lions
The Nittany Lions seemed like the potential runaway favorite in the league, but were halted at home in sweep-fashion by George Mason. It’s a realization that the EIVA has at least another contender in George Mason, and may be more open than once thought. That said, Penn State still has another crack at George Mason down the road and should rack up some other wins, but will need to sure up serve reception and the offense after struggling in those areas against the Patriots.
LURKING NEAR THE TOP
- (RV) Charleston Golden Eagles
Charleston’s offense has struggled in league play, especially getting going and in serve reception against Penn State, yet here they are at 3-1 and in third of the EIVA. They’ve scrapped their way to a strong start overall, but it remains to be seen if they can truly impose their will on the top two in the league. If they can improve offensively, the defense should be good enough to match.
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