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Jonathan Bates | Associate Editor
No. 2 McKendree earned three of the eight first place votes in this week’s Division II coaches poll to pull within two points of top ranked Lewis. McKendree is also ranked in the AVCA coaches poll (No. 14) for the first time in program history.
To give context on how historic this start is for the Bearcats, this is the first time they are 5-0 to start a season. Their previous best start to a season was last year when they went 3-2 in their first five matches.
McKendree defeated Ohio State twice this past weekend, attacking at a .352 clip over the two matches. Outside attacker Patrick Ross had 22 kills, while outside attacker Ethan Carroll had 21 kills.
No. 1 Lewis was idle this past weekend after their matches versus Ball State were postponed due to COVID concerns within the Flyers program.
Also making an entrance into the poll for the first time this season is No. 9 Charleston, who defeated Saint Francis twice this past weekend. The Golden Eagles were led by outside attacker Maarten Bartels who had 27 kills, 13 digs, and three aces for the weekend, while setter Diego Villafane was named EIVA Defensive Player of the Week on the strength of his 14 digs and five blocks.
Both NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II men’s volleyball programs compete for the same national championship. The AVCA National Coaches Poll ranks the top 15 Division I-II men’s volleyball teams and is released each Monday during the regular season.
A national voting committee comprised of coaches from the more than 15 Division II teams determines the weekly rankings for the Division II National Coaches Poll.
The Division II National Coaches Poll will be released on the Off the Block website every Tuesday during the regular season.
Off the Block Division II Coaches Poll (Week 4)
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Previous | Trend |
| 1 | Lewis | 6-1 | 77 (5) | 1 | — |
| 2 | McKendree | 5-0 | 75 (3) | 2 | — |
| 3 | Concordia-Irvine | 0-3 | 56 | 4 | +1 |
| 4 | Lindenwood | 3-4 | 49 | 3 | -1 |
| 5 | Mount Olive | 4-0 | 45 | 7 | +2 |
| 6 | King | 4-3 | 31 | 5 | -1 |
| 7 | Belmont Abbey | 5-0 | 28 | 10 | +3 |
| 8 | Lincoln Memorial | 3-7 | 26 | 6 | -2 |
| 9 | Charleston | 2-2 | 21 | NR | +2 |
| 10 | Quincy | 3-4 | 17 | 8 | -2 |
Also receiving votes: Barton 14
Dropped out: Barton