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There will be nothing neutral about the venues for the MIVA Tournament.
The MIVA this upcoming season will return to a format with the higher seeded team in each conference tournament match earning home court advantage in all three rounds.
This change reverts the conference to a tournament format unlike any other in the sport with there being no neutral court matches.
The MIVA from 2010 to 2023 was the only conference in NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball that ensured there would be a home court advantage for every match and round of their conference tournament. However, the Midwest conference last year changed its format to award the highest seeded team after the quarterfinals with the right to host both semifinal matches and the finals.
Ball State last season as the conference regular season champs defeated Queens in the quarterfinals to garner hosting rights for the rest of the MIVA Tournament matches. The No. 1 seed Ball State on its home court proceeded to be upset in the semifinals resulting in Ohio State and Lindenwood playing in the MIVA Tournament finals at Ball State’s Worthen Arena.
The MIVA also will adjust the conference tournament schedule to account for the additional travel between to the semifinals and finals.
The semifinals will now be played on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday with the finals still slated to take place during conference championship Saturday.
The winner of the MIVA Tournament will receive the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Buckeyes defeated the Lions in four games in the MIVA Tournament finals last season to win the Don Shondell Trophy and earn the conference’s NCAA Tournament automatic bid for the second straight year. Along with attempting a three-peat this season, Ohio State will be the host site for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.