No. 2 Seed UC Irvine Captures Fourth NCAA Championship
May 4, 2013
NCAA Championship
No. 2 Seed UC Irvine 3, No. 1 Seed BYU 0
(25-23, 25-22, 26-24)
Los Angeles, CA---UC Irvine became the first team since the 1996 UCLA Bruins to defend an NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship, yet again in straight-set fashion, this time over No. 1 BYU. In winning their fourth NCAA Title, and eighth NCAA Tournament match in nine tries, the Anteaters also avenged both their losses to the Cougars during the regular season. UCI was remarkably balanced and consistent throughout. Offensively, Kevin Tillie, Connor Hughes (.364), and Zack La Cavera (.476) each recorded 11 kills. Chris Austin set the Anteaters to a .383 overall attack, dishing 43 assists. Perhaps the biggest story, however, came in the middle. The 'Eaters dominated the block, 17-6, including getting one on the final three points of the night. BYU had three consecutive set points, before UCI won the last five to complete the sweep. Individually, Scott Kevorken posted 12 blocks with Austin adding six. Kevorken and Collin Mehring hit an identical 7 for 10 with one error (.600).
UC Irvine head coach David Kniffin is just the second coach in the 44-year history of NCAA Mens Volleyball to win the title in his first year. Hughes was named tournament MVP, joined by teammates Austin, Mehring, and Michael Brinkley, along with Ben Patch and Taylor Sander from BYU. Sander recorded a match-high 20 kills at .308.