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.
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.
For a regular season mid-week slate of matches, this is about as big as it gets in college men’s volleyball.
No. 4 Pepperdine and No. 6 UCLA will play each other in a conference showdown that could be a factor when the selection committee meets in the upcoming weeks. In addition, Ball State and IPFW will renew one of the top in-state rivals with second place in the MIVA on the line.
The college men’s volleyball spotlight is shining bright on the Midwest and East Coast tonight.
No. 1 Loyola will try to keep its perfect record intact as it plays host to IPFW — a team that has a history of beating Loyola on its homecourt. In addition, out on the East Coast first-place in the EIVA will be on the line as Penn State and Harvard play each other.
A regular season Wednesday in college men’s volleyball doesn’t get bigger than tonight.
Four of the top 10 nationally ranked teams will be in action tonight, including No. 1 UCLA and No. 3 Pepperdine meeting in a critical conference match. In addition, Loyola and Lewis will renew their in-state rivalry in a rematch of last season’s MIVA championship match.