COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (April 14, 2018) – San Diego State captured the NCVF Collegiate Club Volleyball Championship in Men’s Division I title on Saturday night, while Texas A claimed the Women’s Division I title in St. Louis, Missouri, on the final day of the competition.
A total of 456 teams competed in the three-day event, which is divided into divisions based on enrollment.
Men’s Division I
San Diego State successfully defended its Men’s Division I title by defeating previously undefeated and third-seeded Cal Poly 25-19, 25-22 in the championship match. San Diego State, which ended the tournament at 9-0 with just one set loss, defeated top-seeded Marquette A 23-25, 25-15, 15-12 in the quarterfinals. The Aztecs knocked off second-seed Florida 25-21, 25-23 in the semifinals to earn their return berth in the championship match. San Diego State outside hitter Andrew Freiha was tabbed the most valuable player of Men’s Division I and teammate Sean Estabrooks was selected to the all-tournament first team. Cal Poly, which concluded the tournament at 8-1, topped Penn A 25-21, 25-17 in the quarterfinals and Kentucky 25-20, 25-16 in the semifinals. Florida and Kentucky claimed the bronze medals in the Men’s Division I bracket.
Texas celebrates its Women’s Division I title after defeating state rival Texas A&M 2-1 in championship match
Women’s Division I
The Division I Women’s championship came down to two undefeated teams, both hailing from the state of Texas. In the end, Texas A defeated Texas A&M A 25-22, 29-31, 16-14 won a thrilling three-set match that had many twists and turns. Texas, 9-0 overall in the tournament and the overall top seed, topped UC Santa Barbara A 25-23, 25-23 in the quarterfinals and earned its ticket to the finals by defeating fifth-seeded Ohio State A 25-13, 22-25, 15-7 in the semifinals. Texas outside hitter Bryn Caitlin Walker was selected as most valuable player of the Women’s Division I, while her teammates Lauren Stifflemire and Victoria Fuller were selected all-tournament first-team and Charlotte Brown was second team. Texas A&M A, which ended the tournament 8-1 as the No. 3 seed, swept Iowa State A 27-25, 25-19 in the quarterfinals and Wisconsin A 27-25, 26-24 in a tough two-set semifinal battle. Ohio State A and Wisconsin A were bronze medalists in Women’s Division I.
Men’s Division IAA
Louisville secured the Men’s Division IAA title with a 23-25, 25-17, 15-11 victory over Cal State Sacramento A in the championship match. Louisville, which went 9-0 and losing just two sets all tournament -both to Cal State Sacramento, beat Georgia Tech 25-23, 25-17 in the quarterfinals and West Virginia 32-30, 25-23 in the semifinals. Louisville outside Nolan Mattingly was named the Men’s Division IAA most valuable player. He was joined on the all-tournament team by first-teamers Zachary Bixler, Zachary Rosenbaum and Anthony Campisano. Sacramento State, which overcame a 1-2 start in pool play and a three-set loss to Louisville in the flight championship round, turned it up a notch in the gold bracket by downing Temple 25-22, 15-25, 15-11 in the quarterfinals and Miami (Ohio) 14-25, 25-16, 15-13 in the semifinals. Sacramento State, which finished 6-4 in the tournament, was extended to a deciding third set in nine of its 10 matches. Miami (Ohio) and West Virginia earned the Men’s Division IAA bronze medals.
Women’s Division IAA
Virginia rallied past Saint Louis A 23-25, 25-21, 15-5 to claim the Women’s Division IAA title in a battle of undefeated teams. Virginia, which finished with a 9-0 record and only three set losses, downed Maryland 25-17, 25-13 in the quarterfinals followed by a 25-14, 21-25, 15-9 win over Winona State in the semifinals. Virginia outside hitter Samantha Conway was tabbed the most valuable player of Women’s Division IAA. Teammate Laura Killough was chosen to the all-tournament first team, while Virginia’s Caroline Kirk was added to the second team. Saint Louis, with a final 8-1 record, swept Ohio 25-18, 25-23 in the quarterfinals and Kansas State 25-21, 25-22 in the semifinals. Winona State and Kansas State earned the bronze medals in Women’s Division IAA.
Men’s Division IAAA
Gonzaga took down Loyola-Chicago 25-19, 25-20 in the Men’s Division IAAA title match to claim the title. Gonzaga, which finished with an 8-1 record, earned its ticket to the title match by defeating Georgetown 25-18, 25-21 in the quarterfinals and Geneva 25-20, 22 in the semifinals. Gonzaga’s Anthony Baciocco was named the division’s most valuable player, while teammates Iaian Hogarty and John Prata were selected to the all-tournament first-team followed by Eleu Akimseu as a second-team selection. Loyola-Chicago, which was 7-3 overall with two of its losses to Gonzaga, edged George Washington 25-17, 20-25, 15-13 in the quarterfinals and Ohio 25-19, 28-26 in the semifinals. Ohio and Geneva ended the tournament with the bronze medals.
Women’s Division IAAA
Appalachian State A blanked Wisconsin-Milwaukee 26-24, 25-20 in a battle of undefeated teams in the Women’s Division IAAA title match. Appalachian State A, which went undefeated in eight matches and dropping only three sets along the way, rallied to defeat Alabama 16-25, 25-20, 15-8 in the quarterfinals and swept Truman State 26-24, 25-17 in the semifinals. Appalachian State opposite Sydney Edwards was honored as the most valuable player of Women’s Division IAAA. Teammates Ally Macwhirter and Gracie Link were placed on the all-tournament first team. Wisconsin-Milwaukee advanced to the championship match by stopping third-seeded George Washington 25-23, 25-14 in the quarterfinals and Gonzaga 25-23, 25-22 in the semifinals. Truman State and Gonzaga captured the Women’s Division IAAA bronze medals.
Men’s Division II
Lincoln outlasted Wisconsin-Eau Claire A 25-19, 22-25, 15-9 to win the Men’s Division II championship title in a test of undefeated teams. Second-seeded Lincoln, which was 9-0 overall in the tournament with only two set losses, handled Missouri State 25-16, 25-20 in the quarterfinals and Davenport 25-23, 22-25, 15-10 in the semifinals. Lincoln libero Joudiel Poveymirow was chosen most valuable player of the Men’s Division II bracket, while his teammate Charles Carter was named all-tournament first team and Jonathan Vargas-Torres was second team. Fourth-seeded Wisconsin-Eau Claire A, which ended the tournament with an 8-1 record, stopped Lewis 16-25, 25-16, 15-13 in the quarterfinals and top-seeded Saint Louis A 25-20, 16-25, 17-15 in the semifinals. Saint Louis A and Davenport claimed the Men’s Division II bronze medals.
Women’s Division II
Sonoma State A captured the Women’s Division II title with a 25-16, 22-25, 15-6 victory over Bellarmine in the title match. Fourth-seeded Sonoma State finished with an 8-1 record, losing only to third-seeded Wisconsin-LaCrosse in the flight championship round. However, Sonoma State avenged that loss with a 25-14, 25-22 sweep of Wisconsin-LaCrosse in the semifinals after beating Wisconsin-Oshkosh 25-19, 25-14 in the quarterfinals to reach the title match. Sonoma State outside hitter Rachel Hadley was chosen the Women’s Division II most valuable player. Teammates Bailey Oliver and Rebecca Steiner were tabbed to the all-tournament first team, and Samantha Wallace was placed on the honorable mention list. Bellarmine ended the tournament with a 7-2 record. Bellarmine advanced to the championship match by defeating second-seeded Wisconsin-Eau Claire 25-23, 18-25, 15-9 in a three-set thriller after pinning a 25-23, 25-21 loss on top-seeded Butler in the quarterfinals. Wisconsin Eau-Claire and Wisconsin-LaCrosse earned the bronze medals.
Men’s Division III
UC Santa Barbara claimed the Men’s Division III title by shutting down Ohio State B 25-17, 25-13 in a battle of undefeated teams in the title match. UC Santa Barbara, the top seed in Men’s Division III, was dominating the entire tournament with a 9-0 record. The Gauchos reached the title match with a 23-25, 25-17, 15-7 quarterfinal victory over Wisconsin, which was the only set UC Santa Barbara lost. The Gauchos went on to defeat Purdue B 25-19, 25-19 in the semifinals. UC Santa Barbara middle blocker Henri Cherry was named the Men’s Division III most valuable player. UC Santa Barbara’s Owen Karlenzig was chosen to the all-tournament first team, while teammate Eric Su was named to the second team. Ohio State B, which went 8-1 in the tournament, earned its ticket to the championship match by rallying past Lincoln 19-25, 29-27, 15-10 in the quarterfinals and downing Wisconsin-Oshkosh B 25-20, 25-22 in the semifinals. Purdue B and Wisconsin-Oshkosh captured the bronze medals.
Women’s Division III
Penn State B topped previously undefeated Cal Poly 25-13, 25-23 in the Women’s Division III champions match to claim the title. Penn State, which went 8-1 in the tournament after being seeded fifth to start the event, reached the title match by defeating Clemson B 25-16, 25-21 in the quarterfinals and third-seeded Ohio State B 25-15, 25-20 in the semifinals. Penn State B middle Carrie McCartney earned most valuable player of Women’s Division III. Teammate Ashley Roeske was tabbed to the all-tournament first team, while Kayla King was tabbed to the second team. Cal Poly downed Iowa State B 25-12, 25-20 in the quarterfinals and top-seeded Texas A&M B 25-19, 25-23 in the semifinals. Texas A&M B and Penn State B won the bronze medals.
The NCVF acts as the national governing body for organized collegiate club volleyball competitions. For over two decades, NCVF volunteers have provided a full range of support for student club teams by promoting year-long affordable, organized and competitive volleyball events, and supporting a season-ending national championship tournament. It is made up of students, volleyball conference commissioners, player representatives, coaches, officials, trainers, recreation sports directors and many volunteers. The organization devotes 100 percent of its resources and funding toward the support of quality collegiate club volleyball activities.
For additional information on the NCVF Collegiate Club Championships and the NCVF organization, click here.
All-Tournament Teams
Men’s Division IA: MVP – Andrew Freiha (San Diego State, OH). First-Team – Adrian Williams (Cal Poly A, OH), Jeff Fiorenza (Kentucky, S), Steven Dinneen (Air Force, OPP), David Hancock (Purdue A, MB), Jimmy Gehrels (Florida, OH), William Smith (Cal Poly A, MB), Sean Estabrooks (San Diego State, L/DS). Second Team – Dane Schweinzger (Kentucky, MB), John Harris (Florida, OH), Chandler North (Marquette A, OH), Daniel Rivera-Aparicio (Marquette A, OH), Adrian Rivera Reyes (Penn A, S), Matteo Sordello (Penn A, OH), Jack Empey (Air Force, OH). Honorable Mention – Peter Nordel (Wiscoonsin-Oshkosh A, MB), Nick Davies (Wisconsin-Oshkosh A, S), Parsa Rezvani (UCLA, L/DS), Zachary Rynning (Florida, OPP), Andre Vigano (Cal Poly A, S), Nestor Payne (Virginia Tech A, MB), Reno Kritz (Penn A, OH), Ryan Callaghan (Arizona A, OPP), Alec Tollgaard (San Diego State, OH), Mason Humes (Arizona State A, OH), Terrence Niles (Central Florida, L/DS), Alex Mitchell (Utah Valley A, OH).
Women’s Division IA: MVP – Bryn Caitlin Walker (Texas A, OH). First-Team – Taylor Curtis (Ohio State A, OH), Elizabeth Leahy (UC Santa Barbara A, L/DS), Cassandra Fitzgerald (Iowa State A, S), Amy Schembari (Iowa, S), Viola Holman (Texas A, MB), Lauren Stifflemire (Texas A&M A, S), Victoria Fuller (Texas A&M A, L/DS). Second Team – Morgan Thomas (Ohio State A, OH), Katie Smith (UC Santa Barbara A, OH), Morgan Finch (Iowa State A, L/DS), Adrienne Lee (Santa Clara, L/DS), Madalyn Nicols (Penn State, L/DS), Charlotte Brown (Texas, S), Kelsea Kalich (Texas A&M, OPP)
Men’s Division IAA: MVP – Nolan Mattingly (Louisville, OH). First-Team – Sahib Sidhu (Cal State Sacramento, MB), Clint Syftestad (Cal State Sacramento, OPP), Zachary Bixler (Louisville OH), Zachary Rosenbaum (Louisville, OPP), Anthony Campisano (Louisville, S), Jack Barnes (West Virginia, MB), Sean Snyder (West Virginia, OPP). Second Team – Alan Bond (Baylor A, OH), Riley Swords (Cal State Sacramento, S), Jesse Brown (UMass Amherst, OH), Kurt Dentinger (Northeastern, OPP), Ethan Wolf (Miami (Ohio) A, L/DS), Thomas Kaniff (Georgia Tech, S), Sean Sweeney (Temple, OH). Honorable Mention – Thomas Corbisiero (North Carolina State, L/DS), Matt Ruder (Utah State A, OH), Alex Carr (Iowa A, S), Tyler Cohen (Wisconsin-Whitewater A, OH), Nikolas Lizdenis (UMass Amherst, L/DS), Alexander Esco (Northeastern, OH), Keenan Herman (Miami (Ohio), A, OPP), Sean Lewis (Temple, OH), Bryce Cattoor (Florida State, OPP).
Women’s Division IAA: MVP – Samantha Conway (Virginia, OH). First-Team – Chanda Riedemann (Winona State, OH), Kaitlyn Hastings (Kansas State, OH), Sarah Thompson (Penn A, OH), Laura Killough (Virginia, L/DS), Josie Gandall (Saint Louis A, OH), Kimberly Thro (Saint Louis A, L/DS), Denise Comfort (Oregon State A, OH). Second Team – Bekka Baures (Winona State, L/DS), Danielle Wall (Pittsburgh, OH), Briana Pontious (Kansas State, OH), Maria Lingardo (Saint Louis A, OH), Caroline Kirk (Virginia, OPP), Katelynn Knowlton (Ohio, L/DS), Sarah Kreutz (Maryland, L/DS). Honorable Mention – Kena Hinker (Winona State, MB), Tiffany Chang (Penn A, L/DS), Katherine Maus (Saint Louis A, S), Irene Peaslee (Saint Louis A, OH), Megan McTigue (Maryland, OH).
Men’s Division IAAA: MVP – Anthony Baciocco (Gonzaga, OH). First-Team – James Wood (Loyola-Chicago, OH), Noah Gothard (Loyola-Chicago, MB), Samuel Schuldenberg (Loyola-Chicago, L/DS), Ethan Huston (Geneva, OH), Matthew Howard (Ohio, MB), Iain Hogarty (Gonzaga, L/DS), John Prata (Gonzaga, MB). Second Team – Jan Nowak (George Washington, OPP), Michael Ficca (Georgetown, OH), Tyler Zeigler (Penn State-Harrisburg, L/DS), Ian Quast (Ball State, OH), George Phillips (Tufts, OH), Benjamin Aho (UMass-Lowell, OPP), Justin Martin (University of Miami, L/DS), Scott Christensen (Alabama, OH), Alexander Schorsch (Tennessee, OPP), Nicholas Weber (Grand Valley State, L/DS), Blake Parrish (Arkansas, OH), Eleu Akimseu (Gonzaga, S)
Women’s Division IAAA: MVP – Sydney Edwards (Appalachian State A, OPP). First-Team – Kelly Shannahan (Truman State, OH), Danielle Dillman (Wisconsin-Milwaukee, L/DS), Molly Stumpf (Wisconsin-Milwaukee, OH), Summer Horchem (Arizona State A, OH), Sydney Reel (George Washignton, L/DS), Ally Macwhirter (Appalachian State A, S), Gracie Link (Appalachian State A, L/DS). Honorable Mention – Marliss Zwaschka (Truman State, OH), Danielle Savignac (Wisconsin-Milwaukee, S), Marina Gonzalez (Loyola, L/DS), Haley Belcik (Kent State, L/DS), Kailee McCoy (Arizona State, MB), Amanda Troxel (Gonzaga, OH), Kathryn Carte (George Washington, OH), Elzabeth Burnett (Auburn, MB).
Men’s Division II: MVP – Joudiel Poveymirow (Lincoln, L/DS). First-Team – Pierce Moriarty (Wisconsin-Eau Claire, S), Derek Lindquist (Wisconsin-Eau Claire, MB), Nathaniel Vander Meer (Davenport, OH), Earl Schultz (Claremont, OH), Fotis Christacos (Saint Louis A, L/DS), Garrett Metzger (Saint Louis A, MB), Charles Carter (Lincoln, OPP). Second Team – Jared Kashou (Wisconsin-Eau Claire, L/DS), Joseph Roeckell (Saint Louis A, OH), Brenden Stealey (Saint Louis A, S), Ian Piskulic (Missouri State, OH), Deantrius Coleman (Lincoln, MB), Justin Joseph (Loyola Marymount, OPP), Jonathan Vargas-Torres (Lincoln, OH).
Women’s Division II: MVP – Rachel Hadley (Sonoma State A, OH). First-Team – Morgan Hazelton (Wisconsin-Eau Claire A, OH), Roni Pollard (Bellarmine, OH), Mallory Beyer (Bellaremine, L/DS), Bailey Oliver (Sonoma State A, OPP), Rebecca Steiner (Sonoma State, L/DS), Caitlin Supple (Wisconsin-LaCrosse, L/DS), Madeline Ramich (Wisconsin-Stout, S). Honorable Mention – Sara Dasler (Wisconsin-Eau Claire A, S), Allie Beams (Bellarmine, S), Rilee Knight (Bellarmine, MB), Samantha Wallace (Sonoma State, S), Vanessa Frahm (Wisconsin-Oshkosh A, L/DS), Raelyn Tretsven (Wisconsin-Stout, OH), Lindsay Rhodes (Butler, MB), Amanda Kind (Wisconsin-LaCrosse, MB).
Men’s Division III: MVP – Henri Cherry (UC Santa Barbara, MB). First-Team – Quinn Arndt (Wisconsin-Oshkosh, L/DS), Marks Abuls (Ohio State B, OH), Andrew Pfander (Ohio State B, MB), Michael Hartmann (Ohio State B, MB), Travis Wagner (Wisconsin B, OH), Zach Reed (Indiana B, S), Owen Karlenzig (UC Santa Barbara, OH). Second Team – Ryan Albers (Wisconsin-Oshkosh, OH), Kyle Winiger (Ohio State B, S), Evan Dorschner (Wisconsin B, OH), Samuel Kimsey (Indiana B, MB), Matthew Hopkins (Marquette B, L/DS), Eric Su (UC Santa Barbara, L/DS), Kyle Murphy (Lincoln B, OH). Honorable Mention – Stephen Seaman (Wisconsin-Oshkosh B, OH), Reed Bogrand (Wisconsin-Oshkosh B, MB), Elijah Plasterer (Liberty, S), Michael Coontz (Ohio State B, L/DS), Trevor Light (Indiana B, L/DS), Colin Lindwall (Wisconsin B, MB), William Moore (Lincoln B, MB), Ryan McCormick (Purdue B, S), Angel Bu (Florida B, OPP), Samuel Ostling (Marquette B, OPP), Pieter Derksen (UC Santa Barbara B, OH), Timothy Lee (Illinois B, OH).
Women’s Division III: MVP – Carrie McCartney (Penn State B, MB). First-Team – Nicole Glass (Ohio State B, OH), Norangely Cancel (Iowa State B, L/DS), Claire Whitford (Grand Valley State B, OH), Ashley Roeske (Penn State B, L/DS), Samantha Spelman (Cal Poly B, OPP), Agata Rubis (Cal Poly B, MB), Shelby Pruitt (Texas A&M B, S). Second Team – Meredith Shaw (Ohio State B, MB), Gianna Ross (UC Santa Barbara B, OH), Jinghua Zhang (UC Santa Barbara B, S), Chloe Havermann (Iowa State B, MB), Kayla King (Penn State B, S), Jeni Farmerie (Wisconsin B, OH), Sheila Clapp (Cal Poly B, L/DS). Honorable Mention – Alexandra Businger (Ohio State B, L/DS), Gabriela Ordonez (UC Santa Barbara B, L/DS), Jennifer Castoe (Penn State B, MB), Emily Schram (Grand Valley State B, S), Sarah Cutaia (Grand Valley State B, L/DS), Jenna Chenette (Texas B, OH), Amailia Zeinemann (Wisconsin B, MB), Madeline Goodreault (Cal Poly B, OH), Chelsea Clark (Minnesota B, OPP), Victoria Schultz (Iowa State B, MB).