2026 men’s tournament

[IK13]

That UCI - UCLA match finish was something!!!

To me, Pepperdine losing to Ball State was a surprise too. Haven’t seen Hartke being blocked that much the whole season. Ball State just looked smoother and better composed overall. Well done!

Who is your pick for the title this year?

[FMadera]

Should be an interesting final. The absence of any MPSF teams is certainly something.

[Scrapper1]

Sorry, but what is MPSF?

[IK13]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Sorry, but what is MPSF?

Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. One of the top 2 conferences in men’s volleyball. UCLA, USC, Pepperdine…

[Scrapper1]

Thanks. I think the northeast equivalent (where I'm located) is the EIVA or something like that. Harvard, Princeton, and Penn State, inter alia.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by IK13

That UCI - UCLA match finish was something!!!?

I just saw it. Ouch!

[IK13]

A whole touchgate drama is gaining momentum now. I hope NCAA has the balls not to give in.

[bob jenkins]

For those of us who can't watch the tournament, can you explain?

[FMadera]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

For those of us who can't watch the tournament, can you explain?

Long story short...5th set, UCLA up 14-12, UCI hits a ball called out long, UCI reviews, R2 says there was a touch (that the UCLA blocker post-match swears on his mother he didn't touch), instead of UCLA winning 15-12, the score is now 14-13, and then UCI runs off 3 straight points to win the match and advance to the final.

[IK13]

UCLA apparently has filed a complaint with the NCAA requesting full formal review. I have no idea what legal room there is for such thing and what can the consequences be.

It is not the first time UCLA is throwing a tantrum. Worked in their favor back in 2012, well…at least for the night. MPSF decided to replay it the next day from that point forward.

My personal opinion.
I am a ref and want the correct calls to be made. I am for reviewing a call during a match, conferencing with the crew and if necessary changing the initial call to get it right. But when all available avenues are exhausted, the call, right or wrong, should be final. Period!
A post-match review is OK for evaluation, rating, training etc. purposes only and must not retroactively change the outcome of the finished match.

[IK13]

It might sound weird, but as I was watching UCI running away with it in the first game yesterday, I knew that Hawaii is going to win it at the end...