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Associate Editor | Jonathan Bates
The Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) will be holding their sixth annual postseason conference tournament on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15 on the campus of Queens University. Check out what to know about the six teams participating this weekend’s tournament.
2023 IVA Tournament Participants
No. 1 seed Lincoln Memorial (20-4, 7-0 IVA)
Player to watch: Middle attacker Matthew Gentry – the IVA co-offensive player of the year currently ranks third nationally with a .481 attack percentage, while also leading the Railsplitters with 34 aces and 74 blocks.
What to know: Not only did the Railsplitters end the regular season with a 17 match winning streak, they led the conference with 1.80 aces per game, 12.49 kills per game, and a .326 attack percentage. The Railsplitters led all IVA teams with six selections to the IVA all-conference teams.
No. 2 seed Queens (14-12, 5-2 IVA)
Player to watch: Libero Guillermo Jordan – Jordan was named IVA co-defensive player of the year after leading the conference with 2.32 digs per game and posting a .950 reception percentage.
What to know: The Royals also ended the regular season in impressive fashion, winning their final six matches. The Royals’ 10.17 digs per game leads the conference and is fourth nationally. Offensively, Queens will look to all-IVA first teamer Matthew Pilch who leads the team with 3.49 kills per game on a .359 attack percentage.
No. 3 seed Limestone (14-11, 2-4 IVA)
Player to watch: Outside attacker Albert Warzocha – the sophomore ranked second in the conference with 3.64 kills per game, 0.478 aces per game and 2.01 digs per game. He also boasts a team-leading .322 attack percentage.
What to know: The Saints ended the season winning three of their final four matches and six of their final nine. Guiding the Saints’ offense is all-IVA second teamer setter Cayden Marin who leads the conference with 9.98 assists per game.
No. 4 seed Tusculum (9-17, 2-6 IVA)
Player to watch: Middle attacker Shaphar Grant – the all-IVA first teamer led the Pioneers with a .347 attack percentage and 78 blocks.
What to know: The nine victories for the Pioneers are a program best. Other notable program achievements happened on March 11 when the Pioneers had two players record 20 kills in the same match for the first time ever and on Feb 25 when Tusculum posted a program best .452 attack percentage in a sweep of Morehouse.
No. 5 seed Maryville (10-16, 1-2 IVA)
Player to watch: Middle attacker David Fleischer – the sophomore led the Saints with 27 aces and 84 blocks. Fleischer also recorded at least one block in every match for Maryville this year.
What to know: Maryville is making their first ever appearance in the tournament. Coach Mike Haston has won a combined 29 matches as the Saints’ only head coach. Their 2.101 blocks per game leads the IVA, leading to .193 opponent attack percentage which ranks No. 6 nationally.
No. 6 seed Alderson Broaddus (10-17, 0-6 IVA)
Player to watch: Outside attacker Loic Nanchen – Nanchen leads the team with 212 kills, 32 aces, and is second on the team with 107 digs.
What to know: Under first year coach Lauren Havill, the Battlers won double-digit matches for the first time since 2016, despite playing all but five matches away from home. The Battlers have no seniors on their roster, while starting three freshmen.
Past IVA Tournament Winners
2017: Alderson Broaddus def. Coker 3-1
2018: Lincoln Memorial def. Coker 3-2
2019: Lincoln Memorial def. Queens 3-0
2020: NO TOURNAMENT
2021: Lincoln Memorial def. Queens 3-0
2022: Lincoln Memorial def. Daemen 3-0
Schedule
Match #1: No. 6 seed Alderson Broaddus vs. No. 3 seed Limestone
Match vitals: 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 14
Follow live: Live video, Live stats
Match #2: No. 4 seed Tusculum vs. No. 5 seed Maryville
Match vitals: 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14
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Match #3: Winner Match #1 vs. No. 2 seed Queens
Match vitals: 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14
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Match #4: Winner Match #2 vs. No. 1 seed Lincoln Memorial
Match vitals: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 14
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Match #5: Loser Match #1 vs. Loser Match #2
Match vitals: 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15
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Match #6: Loser Match #3 vs. Loser Match #4
Match vitals: 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 15
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Championship match: Winner Match #3 vs. Winner Match #4
Match vitals: 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 15
Follow live: Live video, Live stats