FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINTHROP, Mass. – Wentworth Institute of Technology has been ranked No. 14 in the second edition of the American Volleyball Coaches Assocation (AVCA) Division III National poll, the organization announced on Tuesday.

The Leopards (5-3, 1-0 GNAC) cracked the top-15 following a 3-1 record last week, which included two victories over nationally-ranked opponents. WIT took down #13 MIT on Tuesday, 3-1, before sweeping #11 Baruch on Saturday at the Clash of Kean. In between, the Leopards handled Albertus Magnus College, 3-0, for its first win in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play. 

WIT's only setback last week came on Saturday at the hands of #5 Rutgers-Newark, 3-1. 

Rivier University (3-2, 0-0 GNAC) is receiving votes in the latest national poll, while Lasell College (3-4, 1-0 GNAC) received votes in last week's AVCA poll, but not in this week's edition. 

Wentworth will be at Endicott Wednesday before a home tri-match on Saturday. Next week, the Leopards will host fellow GNAC powerhouses Lasell on Tuesday, February 9 and Rivier on Thursday, Feb. 11 in conference action. 

Lasell, Wentworth and Rivier were separated by a mere four points in the 2016 GNAC Preseason Poll. 

Founded in 1995, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 12 member institutions and over 3,000 student-athletes across the New England region. Each year, the GNAC sponsors and administers 17 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunities and community involvement. 

– #TheGNAC –