UCLA Picked on Top of 2023 MPSF Volleyball Coaches' Poll
Photo: UCLA's Miles Partain (Courtesy: UCLA Athletics)
UCLA was picked to defend its regular season conference title in the 2023 MPSF Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, collecting 33 points and five first-place votes. The Bruins return five starters from last year’s top seeded MPSF Tournament team and NCAA semifinal appearance, including MPSF Player of the Year and first team All-American setter Miles Partain, first team All-Americans Ethan Champlain (OH) and Merrick McHenry (MB), and MPSF Freshman of the Year Guy Genis (MB).
Defending MPSF Champion Pepperdine was selected second with 28 points and one first-place vote. Back for the Waves are four starters, including All-Americans Bryce Dvorak (S) and Jaylen Jasper (OH/Opp.), plus libero Trey Cole.
Stanford was picked third with 24 points and one first-place vote. The Cardinal, which returns its entire roster, advanced to the MPSF Championship match last year for the first time since 2014. Outside hitter Will Rottman (first team) and libero Justin Lui (honorable mention) were named 2022 AVCA All-Americans.
Grand Canyon and USC totaled 19 points for a projected fourth-place tie. The Lopes return five starters including All-American hitters Christian Janke and Camden Gianni, as well as 2022 MPSF dig leader Code Udall (Lib.). While the Trojans lost several starters from last year, they do return All-American opposite Simon Gallas and all-conference middle Lucas Frassrand.
BYU (18) was just one point back from the middle of the conference, followed by Concordia (6) to round out the 2023 MPSF Coaches’ Poll. Returning for the Cougars are five starters including 2022 MPSF All-Freshmen honorees Miks Ramanis (OH) and Teon Taylor (MB). The Eagles, meanwhile, welcome back four starters including an all-freshman middle in Max McCullough.
First serve to the 2023 season is January 4. Each MPSF team is scheduled for 12 regular season conference matches, beginning in mid-February. The regular season conference winner will be the No. 1 seed in the MPSF Championship Tournament, hosted by Stanford (Apr. 19-22). The MPSF Champion receives automatic entry to the NCAA Tournament two weeks later at George Mason.
Rank Team Points (First-Place) 2022 Record
1 UCLA 33 (5) 22-5 Overall; 11-1 MPSF
2 Pepperdine 28 (1) 19-10 Overall; 7-5 MPSF
3 Stanford 24 (1) 14-14 Overall; 4-8 MPSF
4T Grand Canyon 19 16-12 Overall; 6-6 MPSF
4T USC 19 22-7 Overall; 8-4 MPSF
6 BYU 18 8-17 Overall; 3-9 MPSF
7 Concordia 6 10-16 Overall; 3-9 MPSF