Mountain Pacific Sports Federation

The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) has announced the addition of NCAA Division-II members Jessup University and the University of California, Merced men’s volleyball teams to the conference, beginning with the upcoming 2026 season.
 
"We are excited to welcome Jessup University and UC Merced to the MPSF in men’s volleyball,” said fifth-year MPSF Commissioner Foti Mellis. “Their addition reflects our conference's continued growth and strength, and we look forward to the energy, competition, and commitment they will bring to the court.”
 
Located in Rocklin, California and primarily affiliated with the PacWest Conference, Jessup enters MPSF Men’s Volleyball following a historic NCCAA National Championship in their first season of competition.
 
“This year has been a remarkable one for Jessup Athletics, and the excitement continues as our men's volleyball program transitions into the MPSF,” said Jessup Associate Athletic Director Scott Sorgea. “We're excited about the challenge of competing in this prestigious conference. This transition provides us with a unique opportunity to showcase Jessup Men's Volleyball on one of the most competitive stages in the country.”
 
Jessup accumulated 15 wins in its inaugural season, including four-straight in the NCCAA Tournament, culminating in a 3-0 title match victory over Roberts Wesleyan. Junior Jan Lopuch recorded 15 kills and six blocks in the championship match, earning him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He went on to be named NCCAA Player of the Year. Two other Warriors, freshman Owen Henning and senior Taylor Marks, also were named All-Americans, while Kyle Steele was named NCCAA Coach of the Year. 
 
“The news of Jessup University becoming an official MPSF school is incredibly exciting,” says Steele. “It was a lifelong dream of mine to be a coach in what has been traditionally the best conference of men’s volleyball in the country. To be on a list with coaches like Al Scates, Marv Dunphy, John Speraw and many more is an incredible honor. I look forward to continue building our program here at Jessup to meet the standards of such an accomplished league.”
 
UC Merced, located in Merced, California, is a primary member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). In their former conference, the Bobcats are coming off their first California Pacific (Cal Pac) Tournament Championship in the 12-year history of the program, 3-1 over top-seeded and No. 12 Westcliff.
 
“We are excited to join the MPSF for men’s volleyball,” says UC Merced Executive Director of Recreation and Athletics David Dunham. “This is an outstanding conference competing at the highest levels nationally. The MPSF is a great fit for our men’s volleyball program competitively and academically. I would also like to thank MPSF Commissioner Foti Mellis for his work with us through the membership process. We look forward to our first season in the conference.”
 
UC Merced made its first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Championship Tournament with 10 victories last season. The Bobcats will be under new leadership in their first season as a full-time D-II member in 2026, with Chris Carter at the helm.
 
“I am absolutely thrilled that UC Merced has been accepted into the MPSF, which has long set the standard for excellence in men’s volleyball,” said Carter. “Joining this prestigious conference marks an important moment for our program. This milestone not only strengthens our team but also provides our student-athletes with the incredible opportunity to compete at the highest level against some of the nation’s elite programs. We are excited to bring the energy and tradition of MPSF Volleyball to the UC Merced community and to proudly represent our university on this premier stage."
 
The 2026 MPSF Men’s Volleyball season will feature 10 teams. In addition to Jessup and UCM, BYU, Concordia, Menlo, Pepperdine, Stanford, UCLA, USC, and Vanguard will compete for the conference championship, which will be hosted by BYU in Provo, UT (Apr. 21-25).
 
Since the hiring of Mellis in 2021, the MPSF has added 60 teams, 32 schools, and six sports. 
 
The MPSF has captured 18 NCAA Championships in men’s volleyball since its inaugural season in 1993. The conference enters the 2025-26 year with 121 total national championships, including four during 2024-25, with its 113 NCAA titles leading the nation amongst Division-I Non-Power Four Conferences.