There will be a lot more of Northern California in the MPSF footprint.
The MPSF announced that both the Jessup and UC Merced men’s volleyball programs will join the conference for the upcoming season.
“We are excited to welcome Jessup University and UC Merced to the MPSF in men’s volleyball,” MPSF Commissioner Foti Mellis said in a statement. “Their addition reflects our conference’s continued growth and strength, and we look forward to the energy, competition, and commitment they will bring to the court.”
Jessup, a Division II program located in Rockin, California, concluded its program’s inaugural season in 2025. The Warriors under coach Kyle Steele finished the season 15-9, including victories against current MPSF teams Menlo and Vanguard.
UC Merced joins the MPSF after the athletics department completed its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II. In addition, UC Merced last season won the California Pacific Conference championship and reached the NAIA National Championship.
The MPSF with Jessup and UC Merced will now have four teams in Northern California.
Menlo last season became the second North California team in the MPSF joining Stanford.
The MPSF will now have 10 teams – its largest membership since six schools left in 2018 when the Big West started to sponsor men’s volleyball. The conference also now will be comprised of an equal number of Division I and Division II teams.