Pepperdine Tops 2022 MPSF Coaches' Poll
Photo: Pepperdine's Bryce Dvorak (Courtesy: Pepperdine Athletics)
Pepperdine claimed the No. 1 spot in the 2022 MPSF Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, collecting 35 points and five first-place votes. The Waves return five starters plus their libero from last year’s MPSF Finals and NCAA Tournament team, including AVCA Newcomer of the Year setter Bryce Dvorak, outside hitter Spencer Wickens, and middle blocker Austin Wilmot--each of whom were named AVCA All-Americans. Three-time Stanford All-American outside hitter Jaylen Jasper is also added to the roster as a graduate transfer.
UCLA picked up the remaining two first-place votes with 30 points, good for second-place in the poll. Back for the Bruins are AVCA All-Americans Cole Ketrzyinski at opposite (3.98 K/S) and Merrick McHenry at middle blocker (.423; 1.02 B/S).
Defending MPSF Champion BYU placed third with 25 points. While the Cougars lost much of their starting lineup, first-team All-American Davide Gardini returns on the outside coming off a 247-kill and .327 hitting season.
Grand Canyon collected 22 points for a middle of the pack projection. The Lopes return 15 players, including the program’s first-ever back-to-back All-American Camden Gianni. He recorded 263 kills and 37 services aces last season.
USC placed fifth in the poll with 13 points. Setter Chris Hall, libero Cole Paxson, and Outside hitter Brandon Browning each return, while UCLA graduate transfer Sam Kobrine (S/OH) is an addition.
Stanford (12) and Concordia (10) rounded out the 2022 MPSF Coaches’ Poll. Returning for the Cardinal are All-MPSF Freshman Team selections Nathan Lietzke (S) and Will Rottman (OH). Meanwhile, Jon Carlson (OH), Owen Chun (OPP/MB), Gil Herold (MB), and Mclain Mott (S) return to the Eagles’ lineup. Taking over at the helm of Concordia is Riley Salmon.
First serve to the 2022 season is January 5. Each team is scheduled to play 12 regular season MPSF matches, beginning in mid-February. The regular season conference winner will be the MPSF’s No. 1 seed and conference championship tournament host in its entirety (Apr. 20-23). The MPSF Champion receives automatic entry to the NCAA Tournament at UCLA two weeks later.
Rank Team Points (First-Place) 2021 Record
1 Pepperdine 35 (5) 13-7 Overall; 11-5 MPSF
2 UCLA 30 (2) 15-6 Overall; 14-5 MPSF
3 BYU 25 20-4 Overall; 17-3 MPSF
4 Grand Canyon 22 9-11 Overall; 8-10 MPSF
5 USC 13 5-13 Overall; 5-12 MPSF
6 Stanford 12 3-14 Overall; 3-13 MPSF
7 Concordia 10 3-14 Overall; 3-13 MPSF