I realize that since this is not apples to apples it means very little. However, as has been mentioned previously on this board, there was only one NEC volleyball team that had a winning record last season (St. Francis at 15-11). Half of their eight teams lost at least 20 matches.

By comparison, we were 13-9. We had only two non-D1 matches (Hartford). Just eyeballing it, I would say that our schedule was as tough as theirs. Who knows for sure who all we will lose to graduation, but Feliz, Tapia and Barnes are seniors. St. Francis had four seniors, so it looks like we ought to be in the top tier of the NEC unless something goes completely haywire.

This year, Chicago State was significantly better than anyone in the NEC. They were more than 100 spots higher in the RPI than any NEC teams. This year, Chicago State would have likely run the table in the NEC and gone undefeated.

I don’t see much changing next season, no matter who Chicago State loses. They will be replaced and the level Coach Trifonov has established will remain. It’s not a one or two season thing.

I would be shocked if Chicago State doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament next season. I guess a lower team could shock them in the NEC tournament final, but no NEC teams are competitive with Chicago State. It would take a major upset IMO.

Here’s a look at the NEC last season.

https://northeastconference.org/sports/w...volleyball

Only 6 teams will return, as Sacred Heart and Merrimack are leaving. And 2 of the 6 are still in transition-LeMoyne and Stonehill.

Collectively, the NEC had very few out of conference wins.

Chicago States RPI was 163. The top NEC team was 280. That’s out of 344 teams.

https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/volleyball...eyball-rpi