Defending Champion NYU tops the 2025 United Volleyball Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Thursday, Jan. 2. The poll was voted on by all eight UVC head coaches.

NYU earned 49 points in the preseason poll and received seven of the eight first-place votes. The Violets won the 2024 UVC Championship and made a historic run to the NCAA Division III National Semifinals, recording a 10-match winning streak from March 27 to April 26, finishing with a 20-8 record.
 
Vassar, who advanced to the NCAA Championship match in 2024, is picked to finish second in the UVC Preseason Poll with 40 points. The Brewers enjoyed another incredible season last year, finishing 26-8, while advancing to the NCAA National Championship match. The Brewers won the UVC regular season title and advanced to the league championship match last season. Vassar is looking to earn its third UVC title in the last five seasons in 2025.  
 
Hobart College is picked to finish third in the UVC Preseason Poll with 34 points and one first place vote. The Statesmen excelled in their first season as a varsity program, winning 18 matches and advancing to the UVC Tournament. Hobart was nationally ranked as high as 13th.
 
St. John Fisher, 2022 UVC Champions, 2023 UVC runners-up and two-time NCAA Division III Tournament participant, is projected to finish fourth in the UVC Preseason poll with 29 points. The Cardinals won 25 matches in 2024 and were ranked as high as fifth in Division III. Nazareth, who was ranked as high as No. 9 nationally, advanced to the UVC Semifinals and won 20 contests last season, is predicted to place fifth in the preseason poll with 25 points.
 
New Paltz, the 2017 and 2019 NCAA Division III National Champion and MIT, who was nationally-ranked and advanced to the UVC semifinals in 2024, are picked to finish in a tie for sixth, each having earned 20 points. Elmira, who won nine contests and was also receiving votes in the national poll in 2024, is picked to finish eighth in the 2025 UVC Preseason Poll.
 
Seven of the eight UVC programs ended the 2024 season ranked in the NVA/AVCA Division III Men’s Volleyball national poll.
 
Regular season play begins on Jan. 10-12 and league play begins on Feb. 15. The six-team 2025 UVC Championship will take place from April 11-13 at the site of the regular season champion.
 
2025 UVC Preseason Poll Results – Points (First Place Votes)
1.    NYU – 49 points (7 first place votes)
2.    Vassar – 40 points
3.    Hobart – 34 points (1 first place vote)
4.    St. John Fisher – 29 points
5.    Nazareth – 25 points
T6.  New Paltz – 20 points
T6.  MIT – 20 points
8.    Elmira – 7 points
 
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The members of the United Volleyball Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. For more on the UVC visit www.theuvc.org.