Men’s College Roundup for March 1
Once again, this week’s college roundup sees no movement in the top five for both the DI/II division and the DIII division as Hawaii and Stevens remain on top of their respective rankings.
Resources for
Follow USAVolleyball
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Mar. 8 , 2024) – There was no change to the roundup earlier in the week as the top five stayed the same across both divisions. Grand Canyon was on top for another week in DI/II, earning 21 AVCA votes to remain No. 1. In DIII, Wentworth earned 20 votes to stay ahead of Stevens and Southern Virginia. With Grand Canyon dropping its first match of the season March 7, expect a shakeup next 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)
GCU followed up its first-ever No. 1 ranking a week ago by defeating No. 8 Stanford 3-0 in two matches at home on March 1 and March 3. But in the first match of Hawaii’s Outrigger Invitational, No. 5 UC Irvine handed GCU its first loss of the season, 3-2 (25-21, 19-25, 24-26, 29-27, 15-6). The team’s overall record is 15-1 as of Friday morning. Before Thursday’s match, GCU had defeated three top-10 opponents in a row dating back to the Feb. 16 meeting with BYU. The Lopes dropped only one set during that stretch (Feb. 23 in a 3-1 win over No. 10 USC).
Match leaders vs. UC Irvine:
Next up: GCU’s path won’t get any easier. They face No. 3 Hawaii on Friday night and No. 14 Lewis to round out the weekend on Sunday.
USA Volleyball National Team Development Team Program/Grand Canyon players
Camden Gianni, who had 12 kills, four aces and six blocks vs. UC Irvine, was on the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup Final Six team that won gold and the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup team that placed fifth. He is No. 3 in the country in aces per set (.653)
Jackson Hickman, who had 23 kills, 15 digs and three blocks vs. UC Irvine, was on the 2023 Men’s Beach Collegiate National Team and the 2023 Men’s Collegiate National Team.
Rico Wardlow, who had nine kills, one ace and two blocks vs. UC Irvine, was on the 2023 Men’s Collegiate National Team.
Nicholas Slight had 58 assists, 10 digs and one block vs. UC Irvine. Nicholas was on the 2023 Men’s Collegiate National Team. He is No. 3 in the country in assists per set (10.69).
Long Beach State went into the week at 14-1, holding on to the No. 2 spot in the AVCA rankings after being unseated from the top spot a week ago. The Beach has only the one loss to UCLA from Feb. 9 on its schedule and most recently defeated No. 9 Penn State 3-1 at home last Friday.
Match leaders vs. PSU:
Next up: LBSU will see UC Santa Barbara for home and away matches this weekend.
USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/LBSU Players
Mason Briggs, who had 11 digs and two assists vs. Penn State, was on the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup Final Six team that won gold. He was also part of the 2022 U.S. Men’s National Team and was on the roster for the FIVB World Championship, where the team finished sixth. Mason is No. 8 in the nation in digs per set (2.42).
Clarke Godbold, who had 12 kills, one ace, one block and four digs vs. Penn State, was a member of the 2023 Collegiate National Team. He was also twice named to the U.S. Men’s U21 National Training Team and competed at the FIVB U19 World Championship in 2019. Clarke is No. 9 in the nation for kills per set (3.82) and No. 4 in the nation in blocks per set (1.13).
Sebastian Rodriguez was a member of the 2023 Beach U23 National Team and the 2023 Beach Collegiate National Team.
Ben Braun was a member of the 2023 Beach Collegiate 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.
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.
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 that competed at the FIVB World Championships.
Aiden Knipe had 38 assists, five blocks and seven digs. Aiden was a member of the 2019 Boys Youth National Training Team, as well as the 2018 Boys Youth National Team that earned silver at the NORCECA Continental Championship.
Hawaii’s lone loss on the year is still the second match vs. Loyola Chicago on Jan. 5. The Rainbow Warriors are 15-1 after defeating Lewis 3-0 Thursday night in the Outrigger Invitational. Prior to that, Hawaii most recently swept Sacred Heart at home last weekend.
Match leaders vs. Lewis:
Next up: Two top-five matchups await Hawaii this weekend. No. 1 GCU is Friday night’s opponent, followed by No. 5 UC Irvine on Sunday.
USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/Hawaii Players
Tread Rosenthal had 29 assists, four aces, one kill, four digs and two blocks vs. Sacred Heart (Sun.), and 28 assists, three aces and three digs vs. Lewis. Tread was a member of the 2023 U19 National Team that placed fourth at the U19 World Championships and won gold at the NORCECA U19 Pan Am Cup. He was named MVP and Best Setter at the 2023 Pan Am Cup. It was his second year in a row claiming the Best Setter title after he competed with the U19 team in 2022 that also took home gold at the Pan Am Cup. He is No. 8 in the country in assists per set (9.96) and No. 6 in aces per set (.578).
Chaz Galloway had three kills and one block vs. Lewis. Chaz was a member of the 2023 Men’s Collegiate National Team.
Kai Rodriguez was on the 2023 Beach U19 National Team and won gold at the 2023 Caribbean Beach Championship with Jackson Herbert.
UCLA defeated USC 3-1 for the eighth straight time over the weekend to get back on track after splitting two matches with No. 6 BYU on Feb. 23-24.
Match leaders vs. USC:
Next up: UCLA will face Penn State for the second time this season on Friday, followed by Ohio State on Sunday with both matches part of the Pac12/Big Ten Challenge. UCLA beat Penn State 3-0 in the first meeting on Jan. 20.
USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/UCLA players:
Andrew Rowan 48 assists, one kill and four digs vs. USC. He was a member of the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup Final Six team that won gold and the 2023 NORCECA Pan American Cup team that placed fifth. He was also on the 2022 U21 National Team that won gold at the Pan American Cup. Andrew is No. 5 in the country in assists per set (10.50).
Ethan Champlin had seven kills, one ace, one block and three digs vs. USC. He was on the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup Final Six team that won gold and the 2023 NORCECA Pan American Cup team that placed fifth. Ethan was also a member of the 2022 Men’s National Team that took home bronze at the Pan American Cup Final Six.
Micah Wong Diallo was a member of the Men’s U21 National Team that took home silver at the 2023 U21 Pan American Cup.
Alex Knight was a member of the 2021 Men’s U21 National training team and the 2020 Men’s Junior National Training Team.
Merrick McHenry had seven kills, three aces, one block and one dig vs. USC. Merrick was a member of the 2023 NORCECA Pan American Cup team that placed fifth. He was also on the 2022 NORCECA Pan Am Cup and Pan Am Cup Final Six teams that both earned bronze medals.
Zach Rama, who had 16 kills, one ace, three blocks and five digs vs. USC, was on the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team that took home silver at the 2023 U21 Pan American Cup.
UC Irvine is on a seven-match winning streak coming into the week after upsetting No. 1 Grand Canyon on March 7.
Match leaders vs. GCU:
Next up: UCI is part of the Outrigger invitational in Hawaii where they face Lewis Friday and No. 3 Hawaii on Sunday night.
USA Volleyball National Team Development Team Program/UCI players
Cole Power, who had 15 digs and four assists vs. GCU, was a member of the 2023 Collegiate National Team. He was also a member of the 2022 Men’s National Team that took bronze at the Pan Am Cup.
Akhil Tangutur had five kills, one ace, 10 digs and three blocks vs. GCU. Akhil was on the 2022 Men’s Beach Collegiate National Team as well as the 2019 Boys Youth National Training Team and the 2018 Boys Youth National Team that took silver at the NORCECA Continental Championship.
Wentworth remains at 16-0 and has been off since taking care of Emerson in three sets back on Feb. 27.
Match leaders vs. Emerson:
Next up: Wentworth takes on Marymount (Va.) on Friday in the Cal-Lu-fornia Classic. Later that night, they will face No. 6 Cal Lutheran and then will play UC Santa Cruz on Saturday to round out the classic.
The Ducks are the first team to 20 wins in DIII. Stevens is currently sitting at 20-1 after going 2-0 in the Misericordia Tri-Match. Stevens beat Misericordia 3-0 and then went the full five with Marymount.
Match leaders vs. Marymount:
Next up: Stevens has its own Tri-Match on deck when they host Stevenson and Lasell this Saturday.
Southern Virginia is 19-0 on the season after impressive wins over ranked opponents No. 9 Vassar and No. 7 St. John Fisher. They also defeated Roanoke on the road in straight sets, meaning that in the team’s 19 wins, the Knights still haven’t dropped a set yet this season.
Match leaders vs. Roanoke:
Next up: The Knights have a three-match home stretch that kicks off with Lancaster Bible on March 9.
After defeating New Paltz on the road 3-1 on Feb. 14, Springfield had tougher luck in the rematch. The Pride fell to New Paltz 3-2 on March 6, making the team .500 in its last four matches.
Match leaders vs. New Paltz:
Next up: Springfield will have time to regroup until March 23 when the team hosts Russell Sage and Hunter in the Springfield Tri-Match.
The Duhawks are 16-0 after most recently defeating North Park 3-1 in a visit to Chicago.
Match leaders vs. NPU:
Next up: Loras has one more road match vs. North Central on March 9 before returning home next week.
NTDP PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Trent was on 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.
2/24 vs. UCLA (L 3-2) 1 kill, 1 block, 1 dig
Kupono was on the 2023 Men’s Beach Collegiate National Team
2/24 vs. UCLA (L 3-2) 8 kills, 2 assists, 5 digs
Nyherowo was on 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.
3/1 vs. George Mason (W 3-0) 9 kills, 2 digs, 2 blocks, 1 ace
Ryan was on the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team that took silver at the Pan Am Cup.
3/6 vs. @ USC (L 3-1) 5 digs, 2 assists
Owen was on the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team that took silver at the Pan Am Cup.
3/6 vs. @ USC (L 3-1) 4 kills, 1 dig, 3 blocks
Toby was a member of the 2022 Men’s National Team that earned bronze in the Pan American Cup. He is No. 1 in the country in hitting percentage (.556).
3/6 vs. @ USC (L 3-1) 7 kills, 3 blocks, 4 aces, 3 digs
Wesley was a member of the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team. He was also on the 2022 Men’s U21 National Team that won gold at the Pan Am Cup where he was named Best Blocker. Wesley is No. 10 in the nation in blocks per set (1.081)
3/6 vs. Penn State (W 3-1) 5 kills, 1 block
Caleb was a member of the 2022 and 2023 U19 Beach National Team. He was also on the 2022 Boys U19 Pan Am Cup team that won gold.
3/6 vs. Penn State (W 3-1) 40 assists, 3 aces, 5 digs
Kyle was a member of the 2023 U23 Beach National Team. He competed at the NORCECA U23 Tour where he placed fourth with Sebastian Rodriguez (LBSU). Kyle was also a member of the 2023 Men’s Beach Collegiate National Team. Kyle is No. 9 in the nation in blocks per set (1.136).
3/6 vs. Penn State (W 3-1) 5 kills, 1 ace, 3 blocks, 3 digs
Dillon was a member of the 2023 Men’s U21 National Team.
3/6 vs. Penn State (W 3-1) 13 kills, 1 ace, 2 blocks, 9 digs
Jacob was a member of the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup team that finished fifth. He was also on the 2022 Pan Am Cup team that finished third and was on the 2022 week one VNL roster. Pasteur was selected as the 2024 MIVA Preseason Player of the Year for the second-consecutive season. He is No. 4 in the country in aces per set (.627).
3/2 vs. Loyola Chicago (L 3-2) 19 kills, 6 aces, 8 digs, 1 block
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.
3/2 vs. Loyola Chicago (L 3-2) 24 kills, 1 ace, 9 digs
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
3/2 vs. Loyola Chicago (L 3-2) 12 kills, 2 blocks, 6 digs
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. Parker is No. 8 in the nation in kills per set (3.92).
3/2 vs. Ohio State (W 3-2) 19 kills, 1 ace, 3 blocks, 3 digs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 8, 2023) – For the fourth straight week, the college roundup remains stagnant with the same teams in the top five for the DI/II division. The DIII division also stayed the same for yet another week as the competition for the top spots remains as close as ever in week nine. The college roundup spotlights 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)
No. 1 Hawaii
A perfect 15-0 after two most recent wins against Pepperdine last week
Match Leaders vs. PEP (Fri.):
Next Up: Taking on Purdue Ft. Wayne in the Outrigger Invitational on Thursday night
17-1 record after defeating CUI 3-0 in home and away matches last week
Match leaders vs CUI (Fri.):
Next up: Facing No. 3 Penn State, followed by Purdue Ft. Wayne and No. 1 Hawaii in the Outrigger Invitational beginning Thursday night in Honolulu
USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/UCLA players
Andrew Rowan had 36 assists, five digs and two blocks vs. CUI (Wed.). Andrew was part of the 2022 U21 National Team where he was named MVP, Best Setter and Best Server.
Ethan Champlin, who had five kills, four digs and four blocks vs. CUI (Wed.), was a member of the 2022 Men’s National Team that earned bronze in the Pan American Cup Final Six. He was also on the 2021 Men’s National Team that took home bronze at the Pan American Cup.
Merrick McHenry, who had eight kills, five blocks, and two digs vs. CUI (Wed.), was on the 2022 Men’s National Team that earned bronze at the Pan American Cup and the Pan American Final Six. He is currently No. 4 in the country for hitting percentage (.475).
Now 15-1 on the season with recent wins on the road against CUI and UC Irvine
Match leaders vs. UC Irvine:
Next up: Will face No. 2 UCLA on Thursday in the Outrigger Challenge in Honolulu
USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/PSU Players
Brett Wildman, who had one ace, six kills and nine digs vs. UCI, was a member of the 2022 U.S. Men’s National Team, winning bronze at the Pan Am Cup and the Pan Am Cup Final Six.
Cal Fisher, who led the team in kills (14), aces (3), blocks (6) and digs (9) vs. UCI, was a member of the 2021 Men’s Collegiate National Team and the 2019 Men’s Junior National Training Team.
Now 9-2 after a win over Ball State on Friday
Match Leaders vs. BSU:
Next up: LBSU will face UC Santa Barbara for a pair of matches this weekend.
USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/LBSU Players
Mason Briggs, who had 12 digs and three assists vs. BSU, was part of the 2022 U.S. Men’s National Team and was on the roster for the FIVB World Championship, where the team finished sixth. He is currently No. 4 in the country in digs per set (2.63).
Clarke Godbold, who had 11 kills, seven digs and three blocks vs. BSU, has twice been named to the U.S. Men’s U21 National Training Team and competed at the FIVB U19 World Championship in 2019. He is No. 8 in the country in blocks per set (1.184).
Spencer Olivier, who had 16 kills, four digs and two blocks vs. BSU, was on the 2022 Men’s National Team that earned bronze at the Pan American Cup Final Six. He was also a member of the 2021 Men’s National Team that placed fifth in the NORCECA Continental Championship.
16-1 record as a result of two wins against BYU last weekend
Match leaders vs. BYU (Sat.):
Next up: Hosting Ball State on Wednesday night
USA Volleyball National Team Development Team Program/GCU players
Camden Gianni, who had 13 kills, seven digs, three blocks and three aces vs. BYU (Sat.), was on the 2021 Men’s Collegiate National Team and the 2021 Men’s National Team, where he earned a fifth-place finish in the NORCECA Continental Cup.
Rico Wardlow, who had nine kills, two blocks and one dig vs. BYU (Sat.), was a member of the 2019 Boys Youth National Team that placed 15th at the FIVB U19 World Championship.
20-2 record after recent wins against Baruch and Lasell in the Lasell Tri-Match on Saturday
Match leaders vs. Lasell:
Next up: Taking on Widener and NYU in the Patrick Dorywalski Classic on Wednesday night
15-1 record after defeating Elmira on Saturday
Match leaders vs. EC:
Next up: At home to face Monroe in their second meeting of the season on March 17.
USA Volleyball National Team Development Program/Vassar Players
Vaughn Ramsey, who had eight kills, seven digs and five blocks 3/3 vs. Misericordia, was a member of the 2020 Men’s Beach Collegiate National Team.
17-2 on the season with a win in the team’s most recent match on Saturday against Arcadia
Match leaders vs. Arcadia
Next up: Will face UC Santa Cruz at Cal Lutheran on March 17
Now with an 11-3 record after a road victory against Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday
Match leaders vs. IWU:
Next up: At home vs. Loras College on Wednesday night
17-2 overall record after beating Endicott 3-0 on Saturday
Match leaders vs. Endicott:
Next up: At New Paltz on Thursday night
NTDP PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
Kaleb was a member of the 2022 Men’s National Team and won bronze at the Pan American Cup.
3/5 vs. UCSD (W 3-2): 21 kills, 2 aces, 3 blocks
Trent was on the 2022 Men’s U21 National Team.
3/4 vs. GCU (L 2-3): 9 kills, 8 digs, 3 blocks
Jacob was a member of the 2022 Men’s National Team and won bronze at the Pan American Cup.
3/4 vs. Charleston (WV) (L 1-3): 11 kills, 1 assist, 4 digs
Nyherowo was on the 2022 Men’s National Team and won bronze at the Pan American Cup.
3/3 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (W 3-0): 6 kills, 2 digs, 5 blocks
Francesco was a member of the 2022 Men’s National Team and won bronze at the Pan American Cup.
3/5 vs. Penn State (L 3-2): 22 kills, 4 blocks, 7 digs
Cole was a member of the 2022 Men’s Beach Collegiate National Team and played with the U.S. Men’s National Team in 2021, earning bronze at the Pan American Cup
3/5 vs. Penn State (L 3-2): 13 kills, 6 digs, 2 aces
Jaylen is a three-time member of the U.S. Men’s Collegiate National Team and was on the 2018 Men’s Junior National Team.
3/3 vs. Hawaii (L 0-3): 11 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace