NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championship
- April 26; May 1; 3; 5, 2018
- Selection Show/Bracket
We have given you a full breakdown of the men’s volleyball NCAA Tournament field and an analysis of some of the biggest takeaways and questions from Sunday afternoon’s announcement.
Check back throughout the week for interviews with participating coaches and more NCAA Tournament leadup, but first take a look at the big day through the eyes and social media of the teams and men’s volleyball fans throughout the country.
First up, while it was no surprise for No. 1 Long Beach State to see its name as the No. 1 seed, it always feels to for it to be official. Check out their reaction:
@LBSU_MVB is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament #GoBeach #LBNation pic.twitter.com/FOc9z9dTeg
— LBSU Mens Volleyball (@LBSU_MVB) April 22, 2018
No. 2 overall seed BYU knew its spot was a sure thing as the team won the MPSF title, earning an automatic berth. The Cougars twitter post was just as matter of fact.
No. 2 BYU has a bye to the semis in the NCAA tournament!
The Cougs will play May 3rd at UCLA! #GoCougs #BYUMVB pic.twitter.com/JBKZXMkYqN
— BYU Volleyball (@BYUvolleyball) April 22, 2018
With hosting duties already on the agenda, MPSF runnerup UCLA played things low key with just a simple look at the bracket.
The Bruins received an at-large bid to the NCAA MVB Championship. They will face @HarvardMVB on May 1 at 7:30pm in Pauley Pavilion. pic.twitter.com/b2UqlGP7WZ
— UCLA M. Volleyball (@UCLAMVB) April 22, 2018
One of the potential surprise announcement came as UC Irvine was revealed as an at-large selection, despite finishing tied for second in the regular season and third in the Big West Tournament. It is clear from the video below that the Anteaters were stoked to be included.
That moment when you find out your NCAA tournament bound! #TogetherWeZot pic.twitter.com/gZOlzlHtop
— UCI M Volleyball (@UCImvb) April 22, 2018
Another shocker came as EIVA champion Harvard found out it had received a pass to the main bracket, escaping the play-in game.
Our seeding is set! We'll travel to L.A. to face UCLA in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament on May 1st at 10:30pm EST!
Release: https://t.co/0PNGnmyQQg#GoCrimson pic.twitter.com/EIuhxlka79— Harvard M Volleyball (@HarvardMVB) April 22, 2018
Another short and sweet post came from Conference Carolinas champions King.
. @TornadoMVB will travel to take on Ohio State on Thursday night! #KingPride #SoundTheSiren pic.twitter.com/GlaCqryhmR
— King Athletics (@KingAthletics) April 22, 2018
The team that everyone was talking about, MIVA champion Ohio State took its perceived snub in stride, choosing to comment on another post with a positive outlook, celebrating the play-in game as another opportunity for a home match.
Back to St. John Arena for one more match during the 2018 season. #GoBucks https://t.co/6XaECi3FrX
— OSU Men's Volleyball (@OhioState_MVB) April 22, 2018
St. John Arena Picked to Host NCAA Opening Round Match vs. King Universityhttps://t.co/3ItEeL7k5H#GoBucks
— OSU Men's Volleyball (@OhioState_MVB) April 22, 2018
Althought Hawaii did not make the tournament field, the team had plenty to say, although subtily on social media. The final emoji following the team’s resume details says it all.
#HawaiiMVB does not earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. UH's season ends at 19-8.
— #WarriorBall ?? (@HawaiiMensVB) April 22, 2018
NCAA Tournament field.
UH was 2-1 vs. UC Irvine this season and the ONLY team to beat No. 1-ranked Long Beach State. ? pic.twitter.com/7CrL3i1sZT
— #WarriorBall ?? (@HawaiiMensVB) April 22, 2018
Fans across the country chimed in as well, trying to make sense of the seven team field.
As expected @BYUvolleyball is a 2 seed in the NCAA tournament.
The Cougars will play the winner of @UCLAMVB & Harvard on May 3rd at UCLA.
UC Irvine got in over Hawaii despite losing to UH Friday. UH has the only win vs LBSU too.
Graph via @offtheblock11 #BYUMVB #BYU #BYUSN pic.twitter.com/jYG8uPoGgs
— Jarom Jordan (@jaromjordan) April 22, 2018
Defeat UCLA = ✔️
Be The Only Team To Beat Long Beach State = ✔️
Get an NCAA Tournament at-large spot after one bad finals match = ?
The Non-Bias side of me is even stunned by the selection made this morning. We need answers @MPSF_Bias lol— Andrew Lee (@AndrewLeeHI) April 22, 2018
From a record standpoint, UCI’s worse lost was to Fort Wayne (in Irvine). UH’s worst loss were their loses at CSUN. CSUN is #9 in the nation; Fort Wayne is #15. https://t.co/prBWmIahXu
— MPSF Bias (@MPSF_Bias) April 23, 2018
UH beat UCI twice + Long Beach
I'm not saying the numbers don't add up in the mystical algorithm
I'm saying that there are some things that numbers get wrong— ?Rae Chang (is off to stab your faves)? (@RaeAChang) April 23, 2018
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