The Rainbow Warriors (30-5) climbed from No. 3 to claim the top spot, riding a 30-win campaign that vaulted them past the Bruins (29-2), who dropped from first to third despite owning just two losses all season. That's the kind of shake-up that makes you stop and appreciate how little margin separates the elite.
The Anteaters (21-9) authored the poll's biggest leap, surging four spots from No. 6 to No. 2 — a jump that says everything about their late-season trajectory. The Cardinals (26-5) also climbed, rising two slots to No. 5, while the Nittany Lions (22-8) jumped three places to No. 12. Meanwhile, Beach (25-5) fell from No. 2 to No. 4, and the Waves (24-7) slipped two spots to No. 6.
What the poll reveals is a wide-open race where 30 wins didn't come easy and 29-2 wasn't enough to hold the throne. The top five are separated by record, reputation, and almost nothing else.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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