VBelo Daily: February 17, 2026
Conference Carolinas giving us some great Tuesday matches.
Number of the Day
2 - The coaches’ poll is…not my favorite thing. And yet, I feel compelled to talk about it. There have been 2 teams that have received first place votes in every poll this year. UCLA, the preseason favorite and the only undefeated team in the country, and Long Beach, the defending champs. This isn’t too strange, except for the fact that UCLA beat Long Beach two weeks ago at Long Beach. From a very basic head-to-head standpoint, UCLA has the edge. And yet, there is a coach that continues to stick with the Beach. The rematch is later this week so maybe we will see some first place vote movement.
This is where I might call out the poll for all of its flaws, but I’m actually going to say this coach might have a fair point. The truth is both of these teams are elite and losing one match is only one data point, in a sea of data. That being said, looking at the current VBelo Ratings, UCLA (1971) has the slightest edge over Long Beach (1967) for the top spot. So UCLA is likely the better team right now, but only by a hair.
Speaking of VBelo Ratings, I am hoping to get a full list out soon… 👀
Yesterday’s Scores
Non-conference
UC San Diego (93%) def. UC Merced (7%)
3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-15)
Roberts Wesleyan (77%) def. Merrimack (23%)
3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19)
Merrimack (76%) def. D’Youville (24%)
3-0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-16)
Roberts Wesleyan (94%) def. D’Youville (6%)
3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-20)
Today’s Match Projections
ConfCarolinas
Belmont Abbey (87%) vs Lees-McRae (13%)
North Greenville (82%) vs King (18%)
IVA
Newberry (3%) vs Catawba (97%)
Non-conference
Emmanuel (20%) vs Fort Valley State (80%)
Central State (64%) vs Thomas More (36%)
Hope International (14%) vs Jessup (86%)
FVSU has not won in a few so this one will be one to follow tonight. Any upsets tonight. I don't think so.