The road to the MPSF Tournament championship will go through BYU all thanks to All-American outside attacker Taylor Sander.
Sander had a match-high 23 kills as No. 2 BYU defeated No. 9 UCLA 22-25, 25-22, 28-26, 25-21 on Saturday in Provo, Utah, to clinch the No. 1 seed for the upcoming MPSF Tournament and a share of the conference regular season title.
Multiple conference titles can be clinched tonight.
No. 2 BYU will go for its second consecutive MPSF regular season title as it plays host to conference rival No. 9 UCLA. In addition out in the Midwest, No. 1 Loyola will look to remain undefeated in the MIVA and win its first conference regular season title in about 10 years as it takes on IPFW.
It’s a huge midweek night in college men’s volleyball with several matches that could have a significant affect on the conference tournament seeding and the race for the NCAA Tournament at-large bids.
No. 5 Stanford and No. 7 USC highlights the slate of matches as both teams continue to battle to earn a home postseason match in the MPSF Tournament. In addition out in the Midwest, Ball State will attempt to put an end to No. 1 Loyola’s perfect run in conference play.
For the third consecutive week, USC outside attacker Lucas Yoder is earning the nation’s top weekly award for a freshman.
Off the Block announced on Monday that Yoder was selected as the Off the Block/Springbak, Inc. National Freshman of the Week.
It’s a light slate of matches but they have plenty of intrigue and importance with only a few weeks remaining in the regular season.
No. 2 Long Beach State will travel to play No. 7 USC in the marquee match of the night and the only match featuring two top 10 ranked teams. In addition out in the Midwest, No. 10 Lewis will play host to Penn State in their annual non-conference meeting.
Coach Bill Ferguson didn’t have to worry about his team’s overlooking Cal State Northridge with looming match against No. 2 Long Beach State.
Ferguson said following No. 7 USC’s sweep against Cal State Northridge on Friday that the Trojans have started to tighten their play on the court and increased their focus heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
No. 7 USC returning to its historic former homecourt of North Gym made quick work of Cal State Northridge and further solidified its playoff positioning.
Opposite Tanner Jansen had a match-high 13 kills on a .500 attack percentage as the Trojans swept the Matadors 25-20, 25-20, 25-20 on Friday in Los Angeles.