The East Coast is wide open. After a season that saw Virginia break through on the national stage for the first time, coupled with James Madison finally surrendering its grip on the regional crown, the 2026-2027 campaign brings a new question: who’s ready to take over? Graduation has gutted the region’s most talented rosters, creating opportunities for rising stars to step into major roles and for familiar contenders to prove they can reload. Virginia, JMU, and Maryland all enter the season with something to prove, and with the East Coast title firmly up for grabs, every point will matter.
Virginia
2026 Record: 13-4 (5-1)
2026 Nationals Finish: Quarterfinals
Pre-Season Power Ranking: #10
This year’s version of the Cavaliers will be missing some key All-American talent from last year’s squad, most notable their kill and catch leaders in Landon Jones and Grady Holmes. This shouldn’t deter the Hoos from another incredible season, as last year’s sixth-place finish at nationals showed Virginia had a lot to prove outside of the East Coast. Ben Wu will play an even more pivotal role in the 2026-2027 campaign, as his forward pressure becomes even more important without Jones on the other side of the court. Elsewhere, All-rookie selection Billy Katchmark could make a huge jump after an incredible Nationals performance, and both Will Niermann and Will Lucas have shown flashes of dominance against weaker competition. Virginia’s biggest obstacle to repeating as East Coast champs will be maintaining their catching depth from years prior. Losing five starters to graduation could become insurmountable, but the team-first dodgeball style that’s become typical of recent UVA teams has the potential to keep them a contender.
James Madison
2026 Record: 11-8 (4-2)
2026 Nationals Finish: Round of 16
Pre-Season Power Ranking: #6
James Madison opens the season as the slight favorite to reclaim the East Coast Crown, after going home without the trophy for the first time ever last season. Like their regional rivals, the roster turnover has had its impact. The new-age Dukes will be without fireballer Jaxson Hannie and former president Ryan Pendelton, as well as catching threats Francesco Carvelli and CJ Promen. Nevertheless, Zach Fazenbaker, JW Harrington, and Preston Anderson can still manufacture that trademark JMU swagger. Anderson himself singlehandedly won multiple points against powerhouse Grand Valley State at Nationals in May, and seemingly improved in every point throughout 2025-2026. They’ll be joined by rising star Connor Smith as well, a dark horse all-region candidate who can do it all. Like JMU teams of old, the talent at the top of this roster has what it takes to both win the East Coast and make a deep run in the Spring. It’ll be up to the depth pieces and new faces to determine if the Dukes can reclaim their throne.
Maryland
2026 Record: 2-13 (0-6)
2026 Nationals Finish: Consolation
Pre-Season Power Ranking: #16
Maryland struggled through 2025 before notching their first win of the year at nationals, a performance that reinvigorated the Terps’ young core. Despite losing former president Andrew Myers (as well as graduating Nate Walls and Adam Butz midseason), UMD might return the highest percentage of its roster. Julian Kim and Dan Rodriguez are as good as anyone on the East Coast. Kim seems to only get better at catching the more balls thrown at him at once, but Rodriguez will have to assume an even larger role without Butz opposite and Myers supporting in the middle. Further down the depth chart, Seth Calhoon and Daniel Ribeiro may step into larger catching and throwing roles as Maryland finds its feet. If the Terps can maintain their catching consistency while finding reliable production from their younger players – or even find another freshman as good as Butz – they could quietly emerge as a dangerous team.