Follow
Check out the five things to take away from the NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball matches this weekend.
BYU sweeps February — No. 2/3 BYU swept both its weekend matches against No. 12 CSUN to extend its winning streak to 10 matches and set a school-record winning 30 consecutive games. BYU in the series opener versus the Matadors hit .536 — the sixth best singe-match attack percentage in program history during the rally scoring era. The Cougars along with not losing a game in February ended the month within one match of first place in the MPSF.
UC Irvine’s troubles continue — UC Irvine still without All-American outside attacker Tamir Hershko because of an injury lost at home to both No. 3/2 Stanford and No. 10/10 Pepperdine during the weekend. With these losses, the defending MPSF champions finished the month 2-6 and are tied for ninth place. The Anteaters are three matches back of eighth place and the final berth to the MPSF Tournament with eight conference matches remaining.
Penn State spoils Hosack homecoming — First-year head coach Jay Hosack and George Mason lost in four games to No. 6/5 Penn State in the former Nittany Lions assistant coach’s first match back at Rec Hall. Outside attacker Chris Nugent in the victory had a match-high 16 kills to help Penn State extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 11 matches and remain undefeated in the EIVA
Erskine still perfect in Carolinas — All-conference outside attacker Robert Perez Vargas finished with a match-high 18 kills on a .469 attack percentage as Erskine swept Mount Olive on Saturday. The Flying Fleet remain one of the three teams in the nation undefeated in conference play and also end the month undefeated.
Ball State defense dominant — No. 9/9 Ball State held Lindenwood to a season-low negative-.115 attack percentage in a conference sweep on Friday. Middle attacker Matt Walsh led Ball State with seven blocks and outside attacker Mitch Weiler added six blocks. With this victory, the Cardinals are on a 10-match winning streak and stay in sole possession of first place in the MIVA.