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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.
Check out the top five college men’s volleyball matches to follow tonight.
1. No. 2 BYU (17-4, 17-2 MPSF) vs. No. 9 UCLA (15-8, 12-7 MPSF)
Match vitals: 8 p.m. in Provo, Utah
Follow live: Live stats, Online video, In-match tweets
What to know: BYU has an opportunity playing one of its biggest rivals to clinch a share of the MPSF regular season title and home court throughout the conference tournament. With a 3.5 match lead in the MPSF, first-place BYU will play its home regular season finale against UCLA and needs one more victory to clinch back-to-back conference regular season titles. The Cougars are on a five-match winning streak and undefeated at home this season, including rallying from a one-game deficit to beat No. 6 UC Santa Barbara on Friday. Outside attacker Taylor Sander in that victory led all players with a season-high 27 kills. It was also the fifth time this season that the All-American had at least 20 kills in a match. UCLA is in sixth place in the MPSF and has lost five of its last seven matches. However, a victory against the Cougars would move the Bruins into a tie for third place in the MPSF and back in the race for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
2. No. 1 Loyola (20-1, 10-0 MIVA) vs. IPFW (17-5, 6-4 MIVA)
Match vitals: 7 p.m. in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Follow live: Live stats, Online video, In-match tweets
What to know: IPFW coming off its most emotionally devastating loss of the season will try to recover against the top-ranked team in the nation. The Mastodons enter their home match against the Ramblers after it blow a 13-7 fifth-game lead in a conference loss to Lewis on Thursday. With that loss, IPFW dropped into fourth place in the MIVA and lost a chance to move up in the race for a possible at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Loyola extended its winning streak to a nation-best 18 matches earlier this week as it rallied from two-game deficit and defeated Ball State in a fifth-game overtime. In addition, the Ramblers can clinch a share of the MIVA regular season title and home court throughout the conference tournament if it beats IPFW. However, the Mastodons have upset the Ramblers twice in the last two seasons and almost upset Loyola earlier this year before losing in four games.
3. Lewis (16-6, 6-3 MIVA) vs. Ball State (17-6, 6-3 MIVA)
Match vitals: 7:30 p.m. in Muncie, Ind.
Follow live: Live stats, Radio feed, In-match tweets
What to know: Second place in the MIVA will be on the line as Ball State plays host to Lewis in a late-season conference match. Both the Cardinals and the Flyers are tied for second place and each not only need a victory for the conference standings but to remain in contention for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. In addition, Ball State enters its home match after having its season-best 10-match winning streak snapped with a five-game road loss to Loyola on Thursday. This match will also feature two of the top middle attackers in the nation. Ball State middle attacker Matt Leske leads the conference and is second in the nation with a 1.48 blocks per game average, while Lewis middle attacker Bobby Walsh is second in the MIVA with a 1.28 blocks per game average.
4. Princeton (12-8, 7-3 EIVA) vs. St. Francis (9-11, 4-4 EIVA)
Match vitals: 4 p.m. in Loretto, Pa.
Follow live: Live stats, In-match tweets
What to know: Princeton can move one step closer to clinching a spot in the EIVA Tournament for the third consecutive year as it travels to play St. Francis. The Tigers are in third place in the conference and need to win three of their four final match to be assured a spot in the conference tournament. In addition, Princeton is the only team with three players in the EIVA’s top 10 for kills per game average. Outside attacker Cody Kessel leads the Tigers and is third in the conference with a 3.38 kills per game average, while outside attacker Pat Schwagler is averaging 3.02 kills per game. St. Francis is on a six-match losing streak, including a five-game home loss to George Mason on Friday. With that loss, the Red Flashes dropped into fifth place and a half-match behind the Patriots for the final berth to the EIVA Tournament.
5. Ohio State (9-13, 5-6 MIVA) vs. Lindenwood (19-6, 4-5 MIVA)
Match vitals: 7 p.m. in Columbus, Ohio
Follow live: Gametracker, In-match tweets
What to know: If Ohio State is going to finish in the top four of the MIVA and earn a home match for the upcoming conference tournament, it homes match against Lindenwood is a must-win. With three remaining conference matches, the Buckeyes are in sixth place in the MIVA standings and out of fourth place by 1.5 matches. In addition, Ohio State is attempting to avoid becoming the first Buckeyes team to finish outside of the top four in the MIVA standings since 1961. Lindenwood has never defeated Ohio State in its program history but is on a seven-match winning streak. Lindenwood outside attacker Collin Hackworth is also second in the MIVA with a 3.72 kills per game average.