Christian Sheaffer (AVCA/Southern Virginia Athletics)
Christian Sheaffer (AVCA/Southern Virginia Athletics)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 29, 2025) – The AVCA did not change the rankings since last week’s roundup, so the top five for Division I/II remains intact even with two of those teams dropping recent matches. In Division III, the top-five rankings also remained the same. Southern Virginia earned 18 votes to remain atop the roundup and the poll for the second straight week.

The college roundup showcases some of the key matches of the week while also highlighting athletes who are part of the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program.

(rankings source: AVCA.org)

NCAA Division I/II

No. 1 Long Beach State

The Beach rolled to a 3-0 win vs. CUI but was tested in a road match with No. 11 Pepperdine that went five sets and started with LBSU down 2-1 before the eventual rally.

Match leaders vs. Pepperdine:

  • Kills: Skyler Varga (18)
  • Aces: Moni Nikolov (8) – T2nd most in program history

Next up: Long Beach travels to Reno for the Silver State Showdown where they will face Fort Valley State on Jan. 31 and Belmont Abbey Feb. 1
When and Watch: 4 p.m. PT Jan. 31, 7 p.m. PT Feb. 1 on BallerTV

USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/LBSU Players

Kellen Larson was on the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the NORCECA Continental Championship and was on the Boys U19 National Teams in 2023 and 2022 that won gold medals at the U19 Pan Am Cup. He had three assists and two digs vs. Pepperdine.

DiAeris McRaven was on the 2024 Men’s National Team that won gold at NORCECA Final 6 and silver at the 2024 NORCECA Pan Am Cup. He had three kills, four blocks and one dig vs. Pepperdine.

Ford Harman was a member of the 2023 Beach U19 National Team. He had one assist and three digs vs. Pepperdine.

Long Beach has eight more members with NTDP connections. Chris Connelly was on the U21 National Team in 2023 and 2022 and the U19 National Team in 2021 and 2020. Island Doty was a member of the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team. Dane Hillis was a member of the 2023 U21 National Team that took silver at the Pan Am Cup and the 2022 U21 National Team that won gold at the Pan Am Cup. Sebastian Rodriguez was a member of the 2023 Beach U23 National Team and the 2023 Beach Collegiate National Team. Isaiah Preuitt was on the 2023 U19 National Team that took gold at the NORCECA U19 Pan Am Cup. Sebastiano Sani was on the 2023 U19 National Team that placed fourth at the 2023 U19 World Championships and took gold at the NORCECA U19 Pan Am Cup. Nato Dickinson was a member of the Beach Collegiate National Team in 2024 and 2023 and competed at the 2024 Beach World University Championship. Ben Braun was on the 2024 Men’s National Team that won gold at NORCECA Final 6 and silver at the 2024 NORCECA Pan Am Cup. He was also a member of the 2024 Collegiate National Team and the 2023 Beach Collegiate National Team.

No. 2 UC Irvine

The Anteaters treated us to a top-five matchup twice last week in which they were victorious 3-2 and 3-0 over No. 5 BYU. UCI athletics says the crowd at the Bren Events Center on Jan. 24 was the third-largest in program history (2,823 fans).

Match leaders vs. BYU (Jan. 24):

  • Kills: Nolan Flexen (14) – Big West Player of the Week
  • Digs: Joe Karlous (16) – career high, Big West Setter of the Week

Next up: UCI travels to face No. 9 Stanford for matches Jan. 31 and Feb. 1
When and Watch: 6 p.m. PT both days on B1G+

USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/UCI Players

Nolan Flexen was on the 2024 Men’s National Team that won gold at NORCECA Final 6 and silver at the 2024 NORCECA Pan Am Cup. He had 14 kills, three blocks and five digs vs. BYU (Jan. 24). He was named Big West Player of the Week.

No. 3 UCLA

The defending champion Bruins got back on the right track, kept the No. 3 ranking for this week’s roundup, and picked up home and away wins vs. UC San Diego and CSUN at the end of last week.

Match leaders vs. CSUN:

  • Kills: Cooper Robinson (15)
  • Blocks: Cameron Thorne (7)

Next up: UCLA sets its sights on a First Point rematch with Ohio State and Penn State, this time in the B1G challenge where they travel to Columbus for matches Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

When and Watch: 1 p.m. PT (Jan. 31) and 4 P.m. PT (Feb. 1) on ESPN+

USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/UCLA Players

Andrew Rowan was a member of the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup Final Six team that won gold. He was also on the 2022 U21 National Team that won gold at the Pan American Cup. He had 35 assists, six digs and one ace vs. CSUN.

Cooper Robinson was on the 2024 Men’s National Team that won gold at NORCECA Final 6 and silver at the 2024 NORCECA Pan Am Cup. He had 15 kills, six aces and eight digs vs. CSUN.

Zach Rama was on the 2024 Men’s National Team that won gold at NORCECA Final 6 and silver at the 2024 NORCECA Pan Am Cup. He was also on the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team that took home silver at the 2023 U21 Pan American Cup. He had 13 kills, four blocks and two digs vs. CSUN.

Cameron Thorne was a member of the 2024 Collegiate National Team. He had 12 kills, seven blocks and three digs vs. CSUN.

UCLA has five more players on the roster with NTDP connections. Micah Wong Diallo was on the 2024 Men’s National Team that won gold at NORCECA Final 6. He was also a member of the 2024 Collegiate National Team and the Men’s U21 National Team that took home silver at the 2023 U21 Pan American Cup. Sean McQuiggan was a member of the 2024 Collegiate National Team. Trent Taliaferro was on the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that took gold at the U21 NORCECA Continental Championship and the 2023 Boys U19 National Team that competed at the FIVB World Championship and took gold at the NORCECA U19 Pan Am Cup. Sean Kelly was on the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the NORCECA Continental Championship and was also a member of the Boys U19 National Team in 2023 and 2022 that both won gold at the Pan Am Cup. Kahale Clini was a member of the 2023 Boys U19 NORCECA Continental Championship Team.

No. 4 Hawaii

Hawaii remains 6-0, having not played since the last edition of the roundup. They most recently defeated Princeton 3-1 and 3-0 in two matches Jan. 15 and Jan. 17.

Match leaders vs. Princeton (Jan. 17):

  • Kills: Adrien Roure (10)
  • Blocks: Justin Todd (6)

Next up: Hawaii faces it’s first top-5 test on the road vs. BYU for two matches Jan. 31 and Feb 1.

When and Watch: 4 p.m. PT both days on BYUtv

USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/Hawaii

Tread Rosenthal was a member of the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the NORCECA Continental Championship. He was also on the 2023 U19 National Team that placed fourth at the U19 World Championships and won gold at the NORCECA U19 Pan Am Cup. He had 31 assists and two aces vs. Princeton (Jan. 17).

Finn Kearney was a member of the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the NORCECA Continental Championship and the Boys U19 National Team in 2023 and 2022. He had two aces vs. Princeton (Jan. 17).

No. 5 BYU

BYU is 6-2 after dropping two matches to No. 2 UC Irvine last week. The Cougars can be excused for faltering with a tough matchup early in the season, and the AVCA would seem to follow the same thinking by keeping them in the top-five. However, BYU will look to improve on the season-low .128 hitting percentage (Jan. 24) that was tallied in the final UCI matchup when they face the Rainbow Warriors next who are one spot ahead of them in the rankings.

Match leaders vs. UCI (Jan. 24):

  • Kills: Telion-Jonathan Tufuga (9)
  • Digs: Noa Haine (8)

Next up: BYU takes on No. 4 Hawaii at home for two matches Jan. 31 and Feb. 1
When and Watch: 6 p.m. PT both days on BYUtv

USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/BYU

Luke Benson was a member of the 2024 Collegiate National Team. He had eight kills, three blocks and six digs vs. UCI (Jan. 22).

NCAA Division III

No. 1 Southern Virginia

Southern Virginia is off to an undefeated start as the team makes its way through the Southern Virginia Tri Match this week which follows the Jim Coleman Memorial Invitational where the team never dropped a set vs. Edgewood, Loras and Wittenberg.

Match leaders vs. Wittenberg:
Kills: Christian Sheaffer (14) – AVCA DIII Player of the week
Digs: Justin Madsen (6)

Next up: Wraps up the Southern Virginia Tr- Match vs. Averett and Roanoke and then hosts Lancaster Bible on Feb. 1
Watch and When:
11a.m. ET vs. Lancaster Bible on Knights Broadcasting

No. 2 NYU

NYU is undefeated before a Wednesday matchup with Baruch. Last season, NYU lost in five sets when the two schools squared off at Baruch in the regular season, but the Violets avenged the loss with a 3-0 win in the first round of the 2024 NCAA tournament. Prior to the Baruch rematch, NYU swept New Jersey City and Arcadia on Jan. 25. It was also a milestone in the coaching career of NYU’s Jose Piña, who earned his 425th victory in his 32nd season with the program.

Match leaders vs. Arcadia
Kills: Emerson Evans (13)
Blocks: Lucas Osiecki (3)

Next up:
After Baruch, NYU will travel to Pennsylvania to face Messiah on Jan. 31 and then Misericordia and Nichols Feb. 1.
When and Watch: (Feb. 1) 11 a.m. ET and 1 p.m. on MACtv

No. 3 Stevens

The Ducks defeated Rutgers-Newark last Friday to remain unbeaten. What’s more, Stevens has yet to lose a set so far this season and the team has only given up 20 points in four of those sets. It was the third straight opponent the Ducks held to an attack percentage below 10, forcing 28 errors.

Match leaders vs. Rutgers-Newark:
Kills: Koby Sherman (9)
Digs: Alex Olcott (7)

Next up: Stevens makes a trip to Wisconsin to face Carthage on Jan. 31, followed by Juniata and Baldwin Wallace on Feb. 1.
Where and when: 6 p.m. ET Jan. 31, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ET on Carthage Athletics

No. 4 Cal Lutheran

After a notable win over No. 8 Carthage on Jan. 19, the defending DIII champs have enjoyed some time off before a meeting with Dominican (Illinois) resumes their schedule on Jan. 30.

Match leaders vs. Carthage:
Kills: Jordan Cooper (13)
Blocks: Borys Horiuk (7)

Next up: CLU is heading to Illinois at the end of the month for matches vs. Dominican, Benedictine, North Central, Nazareth and Aurora

5. Juniata

Juniata rounds out the top-five once again and is the first team to hit eight wins in our DIII rankings. The Eagles have only dropped one set so far this season and most recently swept East Mennonite and Stevenson on the road. Senior middle Luke Hoffman earned CVC Player of the Week.

Match leaders vs. Stevenson:
Kills: Tyler Phillips (12)
Digs: Peter Carioto (5)

Next up: The Eagles will travel to take on Carthage in the FrogJump Invitational Jan. 30

NTDP PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

    • Henry Wedbush – Princeton
      Henry was a member of the 2024 and 2023 Men’s Collegiate National Team.
      1/26 vs. Queens: 31 assists, 1 block, 3 digs
    • Nyherowo Omene – Princeton
      Nyherowo was on the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that took gold at the U21 NORCECA Continental Championship, the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team that took silver at the Pan Am Cup and the 2022 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the Pan Am Cup.
      1/26 vs. Queens: 6 kills, 3 digs
    • Roan Alviar – Princeton
      Roan was a member of the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the U21 NORCECA Continental Championship and was also on the 2023 Boys U19 National Team.
      1/26 vs. Queens: 2 assists, 8 digs
    • Caleb Blanchette – USC
      Caleb has been a member of the Beach U19 National Team since 2022. He was also on the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the 2024 NORCECA Championship and the 2022 Boys U19 Pan Am Cup team that won gold.
      1/22 @ CSUN: 41 assists, 2 kills, 4 digs
    • Sterling Foley – USC
      Sterling was a member of the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the NORCECA Continental Championship. He was Named MVP and Best Spiker. He was also a member of the Boys U19 National Team in 2022 and 2023.
      1/22 @ CSUN: 5 kills, 5 digs, 3 blocks
    • Parker Tomkinson – USC – MPSF Molten Offensive Player of the Week
      Parker was a member of the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the NORCECA Continental Championship. He was also a member of the 2023 Boys U19 NORCECA Continental Championship Team.
      1/22 @ CSUN: 13 kills, 7 blocks, 4 digs
    • Dillon Klein– USC – MPSF Molten Defensive Player of the week
      Dillon was a member of the 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team and the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team.
      1/22 @ CSUN: 17 kills, 1 ace, 9 blocks
    • Shane Wetzel – Ohio State
      Shane was on the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team that took silver at the Pan Am Cup. He was also on the 2022 U21 National Team that won gold.
      1/18 vs. UCLA: 10 kills, 3 aces, 4 digs
    • Kyle Teune – Ohio State
      Kyle was on the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team that earned silver at the 2023 Pan Am Cup and the 2022 Pan Am Cup team that took home gold
      1/18 vs. UCLA: 7 kills, 2 aces, 2 digs
    • Patrick Rogers – Ball State
      Patrick was on the 2024 Men’s U21 National Team that took gold at the U21 NORCECA Continental Championship
      1/24 vs. Maryville: 9 kills, 6 digs, 3 blocks
    • Parker Van Buren – Loyola Chicago
      Parker was on the 2023 Men’s Collegiate National Team and he was a member of the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup team that finished fifth. He was also on the 2022 Pan Am Cup Final Six team that earned bronze.
      1/25 vs. Mount Olive: 11 kills, 5 aces, 4 blocks
    • Nicodemus Meyer – Loyola Chicago
      Nicodemus was a member of the 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team and the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team.
      1/25 vs. Mount Olive: 6 kills, 6 blocks, 1 dig
    • Theo Snoey – Stanford
      Theo was  a member of the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team.
      1/18 vs. Penn State: 15 kills, 7 digs, 1 assist
    • Trent Moser – GCU
      Trent was on the 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team, the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team that took silver at the Pan Am Cup and the 2022 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the Pan Am Cup.
      1/25 vs. UCSB: 15 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces