UCLA Tops 2024 MPSF Volleyball Coaches' Poll
Photo by: Jack Larkin
2024 MPSF Men's Volleyball Coaches' Poll (PDF)
Defending MPSF and NCAA Champion UCLA was picked to repeat its regular season conference title in the 2024 MPSF Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ poll, collecting the maximum possible totals of 36 points and six first-place votes. The Bruins return six starters from a 31-2 team, including national newcomer of the year and first team All-American Andrew Rowan (MPSF-high 50 aces, helped UCLA to NCAA-high .382 hitting), NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and All-American Alex Knight, and MPSF Tournament MVP and first team All-American Merrick McHenry (NCAA-high .526 hitting clip).
2023 MPSF Tournament runner-up Stanford was selected second with 29 points and the remaining first-place vote. Key returnees for the Cardinal include two-time All-American outside hitter Will Rottman (career 3.70 kills, 0.28 aces, 1.20 digs, 4.20 points per set) and MPSF All-Freshman opposite Theo Snoey (2.67 K/S, 1.48 D/S).
BYU and Grand Canyon shared the No. 3 spot with 23 points apiece. The Cougars return middles Teon Taylor (135 TB, 14 BS) and All-MPSF Gavin Julien (78 TB, .433), along with All-American outside hitter Miks Ramanis (313 K, .308) from their second-place regular season finish last year. Back for the ‘Lopes are All-Americans Camden Gianni (GCU record 40 aces), Nic Slight, Rico Wardlow (GCU record .536 hitting clip) and Jackson Hickman.
USC placed fifth in the poll with 17 points, and welcome back All-American Dillon Klein (3.60 K/S), its top attacker from 2023. Also returning is the squad’s top 2023 hitter and blocker Kyle Paulson (.333, 1.01 B/S).
Pepperdine collected 13 points, followed by Concordia with six. Back for the Waves is All-MPSF middle Akin Akinwumi, who led the team with 39 aces, and accumulated 206 kills (.416) and 91 blocks. The Eagles return four starters including MPSF All-Freshman libero Jacob Reilley, as Chris Seiffert takes over as Interim Head Coach.
First serve to the 2024 season is January 3. 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 USC (Apr. 17-20). The MPSF Champion receives automatic entry to the NCAA Tournament two weeks later at Long Beach State.
Rank Team Points (First-Place) 2023 Record
1 UCLA 36 (6) 31-2 Overall; 12-0 MPSF
2 Stanford 29 (1) 15-13 Overall; 6-6 MPSF
3T BYU 23 19-7 Overall; 8-4 MPSF
3T Grand Canyon 23 22-8 Overall; 6-6 MPSF
5 USC 17 10-16 Overall; 3-9 MPSF
6 Pepperdine 13 16-14 Overall; 5-7 MPSF
7 Concordia 6 8-19 Overall; 2-10 MPSF