NCAA Division III Men’s Tournament Preview

NCAA Division III Men’s Tournament

• April 28-30
• Blak Arena, Springfield, Massachusetts
• Bracket
• Watch Live

The NCAA Division III Men’s National Tournament is near it’s beginning, with the quarterfinal round beginning today at 12:30 PM ET. Four squads played their first round matches on April 22 to make it to the quarterfinals – Hunter, Stevens Institute, SUNY New Paltz and Juniata.

The semifinals will take place on April 29 at 4:00 PM ET and 6:30 PM ET, with the finals on April 30 at 4:00 PM ET.

#1 Springfield vs. #8 Hunter

• Quarterfinal match: April 28 at 12:30 PM ET

Hunter will face Springfield in the quarterfinal match. Overall, Springfield holds the advantage in with a 9-0 record against Hunter in matches. In the teams last meeting, Springfield recorded the single-best three set hitting percentage in college men’s volleyball on the year with a .692 clip, slamming down 39 kills on 52 attempts and just three errors. The match also held Hunter to a low -.015 hitting percentage.

Springfield, along with Kean, have been a part of every NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship since its induction in 2012. The first three years the Pride were seeded #1 with the next three at #2.

The Pride also field the AVCA Men’s Volleyball Division III National Player of the Year in Luis Vega. Vega has a .463 hitting percentage on the year with an average of 4.21 kill and 4.95 points per set.

#2 Wentworth vs. Juniata

• Quarterfinal match: April 28 at 8:00 PM ET

Wentworth is set to take on Juniata in the quarterfinal phase of the Division III Men’s Tournament. The two teams have not faced each other this season, the only teams in the quarterfinals not to have already competed against their opponent.

This is Wentworth’s second straight berth into the tournament, while Juniata is on their third trip.

#3 Vassar vs. SUNY New Paltz

• Quarterfinal match: April 28 at 5:30 PM ET

Vassar will take on SUNY New Paltz in their quarterfinal match up. The last meeting for the two came in the UVC Championship title match, with New Paltz coming out on top in a four set battle.

The two have played each other twice this season, with the record coming to a 1-1 draw. This is the first NCAA Tournament appearance for Vassar, while SUNY New Paltz will look to defend their 2016 national title.

#4 Dominican vs. Stevens Institute

• Quarterfinal match: April 28 at 3:00 PM ET

Dominican will take on Stevens Institute in the quarterfinal round of the tournament. It is Dominican’s first time in the tournament since it’s induction in 2012, while Stevens Institute is no stranger with a national title in 2015.

The two squads faced off just one month ago on March 26, with Dominican coming out on top in a three-set match. Dominican led the match in every statistical category, hitting a .388 clip while holding Stevens Institute to .143.