Harvard Looks to Snag Regular Season Title from George Mason; EIVA Final Update

One week remains in the regular season for the EIVA, as George Mason’s grasp on the lead has been lessened. They still sit in a good spot needing to just go 1-1 at home against the same opponent this week, but the catch is that it comes against the next best team in the conference in Harvard. Beyond that, the chase for the fourth and final spot in the EIVA Tournament is on – although Princeton has a healthy edge as we get ready for the EIVA Tournament.

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:

WEEKLY HONORS:

• EIVA Weekly Awards

MATCHES OF THE WEEK:

• April 13: (RV) Harvard at #16 George Mason
• April 13: (RV) Princeton at #17 Penn State
• April 14: (RV) Harvard at #16 George Mason
• April 14: (RV) Princeton at Sacred Heart
• April 14: NJIT at #17 Penn State

VOLLEYMOB EIVA POWER RANKINGS:

1. George Mason
2. Harvard
3. Penn State
4. Princeton
5. NJIT
6. Charleston
7. Saint Francis
8. Sacred Heart

ON THE VERGE OF #1

• George Mason Patriots

The Patriots have been in this spot throughout, losing for the first time to Penn State last week. With that loss, the couldn’t clinch at least a share of the EIVA title, as now it’s all or nothing based on this week’s results. One win over Harvard does the job, with two just adding to their overall resume and maybe RPI ranking. Of course, doing so isn’t just important in winning a championship in the regular season, but also for getting them the #1 seed for the EIVA Tournament where they would get to host the entire event. The Patriots strengths in these important matches will be offense and serving, but Harvard has a strong floor defense.

• Harvard Crimson

The Crimson had a rough start to the season in the non-conference and even started 0-2 in EIVA play. At that point it seemed like a pipe dream that Harvard could be in this position in the final week – let alone make the EIVA Tournament next week, which they already have secured. Best case scenario for Harvard is two wins this week, which would win them the EIVA outright and get the #1 seed where they would host. Worst case is they lose twice and they still get the #2 or #3 seed (depending on Penn State’s results) and have the same path to the NCAA Tournament automatic bid. Harvard’s strengths for the matches with GMU will be their offense (which only ranks behind the Patriots in hitting percentage during EIVA matches) and their floor defense/serve reception.

THE BATTLE FOR NUMBER FOUR

• Princeton, Charleston & NJIT

The Tigers need just one win in their final two to clinch a spot as the #4 seed in the EIVA Tournament next week. It starts at #17 Penn State – although the Nittany Lions don’t have a ton to play for – and ends at Saint Francis – a team who has had some strong victories but has struggled at the end of the year. Should Princeton lose both, things get more complicated, as they lost twice to Charleston this year but also beat NJIT twice. That means Charleston has the tiebreaker over Princeton, while NJIT would need to win twice, hope Princeton loses twice and have Charleston win twice to create a three-way tie. And if that three-way tie were to occur, since Princeton beat NJIT twice who beat Charleston twice who beat Princeton twice, the next tiebreaker would be sets won/lost against each other.

• NJIT: 9-6 in sets against Charleston & Princeton
• Princeton: 8-9 in sets against NJIT & Charleston
• Charleston: 6-8 in sets againt NJIT & Princeton

Therefore, if the three all end up 6-8, NJIT would get the four seed. Should Princeton win once or Charleston lose once, they get it. And if Charleston wins both and Princeton loses twice with NJIT losing once, they make it. Not as confused anymore? Probably not, but here we are in the final week of the regular season.