MENS VOLLEYBALL
Co-President AUSTIN LUND | aulund@ucsd.edu
Co-President KADEN HUTCHERSON | khutcherson@ucsd.edu
Treasurer DAVID VALENZUELA | d1valenzuela@ucsd.edu
Vice President Aiden Atencio | amatencio@ucsd.edu
Instagram 
| @ucsd_mcvb
Initially started as a competitive alternative to Intramurals and the Intercollegiate Team, the UCSD Men’s Club Volleyball Team has grown into a nationally recognized force. Prior to 2001, games were casually scheduled against local teams and were played very similarly to open court (no refs, scoreboard). In 2001, UC San Diego joined the Southern California Club Volleyball League (SCCVL.org). In the past several years, UC Slam Diego has grown to become a powerhouse in the world of club volleyball. The Tritons have qualified for the top division at Nationals for the past ten years, including a third-place finish in 2013. For five years now, two teams have been fielded to compete under the title of UC San Diego. In 2020, both of our teams were at the top of their respective divisions before the season was cut short by the pandemic. We hope to continue where we left off in the upcoming season, and compete at the Collegiate Nationals held in Phoenix, Arizona in 2022.
NEWS AND RESULTS
Stay tuned for updates for the upcoming year!
3/21/26 - SCCVL League Championships
The UCSD Men's Club Volleyball team left everything on the court during a series of grueling matchups against UCLA, UCR, and GCU. Each contest showcased high-level intensity and grit, with closely contested games against some of the region's most disciplined programs. Aggressive play at the net combined with relentless defense forced opponents to earn every point.
Many sets came down to the wire, and the A team battled hard through every rotation but ultimately fell just short of securing victories. Although the final scores did not reflect the desired outcome, the performances demonstrated the team’s ability to compete at an elite level under pressure. With the regular season now concluded, full attention is turning toward preparation for Nationals, with an emphasis on refining execution and reaching peak form at the right time.
2/27/26 - SCCVL West Region Challenge
The A-team delivered another strong weekend performance, navigating a competitive field with confidence and composure. They opened pool play with a perfect 3–0 record, earning gritty wins over CSU Fullerton, UC Riverside B, and Northeastern. Each match featured momentum swings and tight sets, but the A-team consistently elevated their level in third-set situations to secure the victories.
That momentum carried into Champ Power Pool play, where they continued to prove their depth with a commanding 2–0 sweep of UNLV A and a hard-fought 2–1 win over UC Irvine. Their ability to respond after dropped sets and close out matches under pressure highlighted the team’s maturity and discipline.
The weekend concluded in the Gold bracket with a competitive match against Utah Valley A. Despite a strong effort, the A-team fell in two sets, but not without demonstrating their ability to compete at a high level against top-tier opponents.
Standout performances came from Kaz and Kaden, whose leadership, intensity, and clutch play were instrumental throughout the tournament. Their presence anchored both the offense and defense, helping the team maintain composure in key moments and secure critical wins.
The B-team battled through a demanding weekend schedule, showing resilience across multiple rounds of competition. In pool play, they secured an impressive three-set win over UC Riverside and a clean sweep against CSU Fullerton B, demonstrating steady improvement and strong execution in crucial stretches. A tight match against Loyola Marymount pushed them to the limit, and they later won a decisive tiebreaker set to show their competitive edge.
Champ Power Pool play brought elevated competition, with close contests against Virginia Tech and Utah Valley B. Despite falling short in those matchups, the B-team remained competitive and fought through long rallies and extended sets. In Bronze bracket play, they pushed UC Irvine B to three sets in another tightly contested battle.
Leading the charge were Aiden and Daniel, whose consistent play and impact on both sides of the ball helped keep the team steady throughout the weekend. Their effort and composure were key factors in the team’s strongest performances.
Overall, both squads continue to show growth, resilience, and the ability to compete deep into tournament play.
2/21/26 - SCCVL Crossovers
The A-team competed through a demanding slate of matches this weekend, facing strong opposition across pool and bracket play while continuing to show resilience in tight contests. They opened the tournament with an impressive 2–0 win over Arizona A, setting the tone with confident serving and disciplined execution. The team followed with another strong sweep against Arizona State and Northern Arizona, demonstrating consistency and control on both sides of the ball.
Several matches came down to the wire, including hard-fought three-set battles against CSU Northridge, UC Riverside, UCLA, and Grand Canyon. Despite narrowly falling short in those deciding sets, the A-team consistently proved their ability to compete point-for-point with top programs throughout the region.
Standout performances came from Kaden and Tuomas, whose leadership and steady play anchored the team throughout the weekend. Their impact on both offense and defensive stability helped UCSD remain competitive in every match, highlighting the A-team’s continued growth and ability to challenge high-level opponents as the season progresses.
The B-team entered the weekend relying heavily on adaptability and depth to compete through a long tournament schedule. Despite the roster challenges, the squad showed impressive grit and determination across pool play. They earned strong victories over CSU Long Beach B, CSU Fullerton B, and USC B, battling through momentum swings and executing well in crucial moments.
Many of their toughest matches pushed to three sets, including close contests against Arizona B, Grand Canyon B, and Arizona State B, where the team narrowly missed converting late-set opportunities. Even in defeat, the B-team continued to fight through extended rallies and high-pressure situations, demonstrating resilience despite limited substitutions and fatigue setting in late in the day.
Stepping up in a major way were Kaden and Jameson, who played critical roles in stabilizing the lineup while the team dealt with roster shortages with their offensive versatility and defensive presence. Their composure helped keep the team competitive throughout the weekend, embodying the scrappy, next-man-up mentality that defined the B-team’s performance.
2/7/26 - SCCVL Regionals
The A-team delivered an impressive weekend performance, grinding out four hard-fought victories against top competition. Every match went the distance, and the team proved they thrive under pressure with 2–1 wins over SDSU, UCSB, UCI, and USC. Each contest was a battle of momentum swings, long rallies, and clutch points, but the A-team consistently found ways to execute when it mattered most.
Their resilience was on full display as they battled through tight third sets, showing composure, discipline, and confidence in high-pressure moments. A major factor in their success was David Valenzuela, who carried the load from the right side all weekend. His offensive firepower and ability to score in crucial situations gave the team stability and a go-to option when matches tightened up. The A-team’s ability to close out tough opponents speaks volumes about their growth and competitive edge moving forward.
The B-team faced a challenging slate of opponents and competed with determination throughout the weekend. They earned a strong win over CSUN B, showcasing balanced play and steady execution. Their matchup against SDSU B was a nail-biter, pushing the contest to three sets before narrowly falling short in a hard-fought battle.
Against UCSB B and UCI B, the team dropped two-set matches but continued to fight through long rallies and tough defensive sequences. A standout performer for the B-team was Aiden Atencio, whose defensive presence and relentless effort kept the team competitive in every match. His hustle, digs, and court awareness provided crucial momentum swings and energized the squad throughout the tournament.
While the results were mixed, the B-team’s grit and defensive intensity continue to define their identity, and they’re building valuable experience with every match.
1/23/26 - 2026 MLK Invite
This past weekend, the A-team competed in a deep and competitive field, showing resilience and grit across multiple rounds of play. They opened pool play strong with convincing 2–0 wins over Cal Poly Pomona and UC Davis B, setting the tone early with clean execution and consistent pressure. Their final pool match against UCLA proved to be a tough battle, as the team dropped a hard-fought 0–2 match despite keeping both sets competitive. Finishing pool play 2–1 earned them a solid position heading into bracket play.
Momentum continued into the crossover and Gold rounds, where the A-team elevated their level. They delivered a statement 2–1 victory over Arizona A, grinding through a back-and-forth match that showcased their composure in key moments. That confidence carried over into the Gold Challenge, where they edged out Arizona State in another gritty three-set win. In Round 4 of Gold, the team battled past Utah Valley A in a dramatic 2–1 comeback before securing a clean 2–0 win against CSU Northridge. Their tournament run ultimately came to an end with a 0–2 loss to UC Irvine, but not before proving their ability to compete with top programs and earning a second place victory.
Standout performances from Arthur and Tuomas helped anchor the A-team throughout the weekend, providing stability, intensity, and leadership in key moments and earned them all tournament honors. Overall, the A-team displayed toughness, adaptability, and growth, continuing to build momentum as they push deeper into the season.
The B-team battled through a challenging weekend at the SCCVL MLK Invite, showing grit and fight across every round. Pool play opened with a tough 0–2 loss to Arizona State, but the team responded well, grinding out a hard-fought 2–1 win over CSU San Marcos. They carried that momentum into another three-set battle against CSU Long Beach B, securing a second 2–1 victory to finish pool play with a balanced 2–1 record and earn a spot in the championship crossover.
Bracket play brought no shortage of tight matches. The B-team faced UC Irvine in the Champ Crossover, falling 0–2 in a competitive matchup that sent them into the Silver bracket. In Silver Challenge, they went toe-to-toe with CSU Sacramento A, dropping a close 0–2 match that featured long rallies and narrow point margins. The team showed resilience in Silver Consolation, bouncing back with a gritty 2–1 win over Arizona A before closing out the weekend with a narrow 1–2 loss to San Diego State B in another hard-fought battle.
Varchas and Daniel delivered standout performances, especially in the match against Arizona State, bringing energy, composure, and key plays that set the tone for the team’s fight throughout the tournament. Despite the ups and downs, the B-team’s determination never wavered. Their ability to compete in tight sets, respond after setbacks, and push strong opponents to the limit highlights their growth and depth as the season continues.
11/8/25-11/9/25 - UCSD Men's Club Volleyball - SDSU Invitational
This weekend, UC Slam Diego’s A-team came out firing on all cylinders, going undefeated on Saturday with a commanding 3–0 record. They opened play with dominant 2–0 wins over UC Berkeley B and CSUN B, setting the tone early with sharp execution and confident team chemistry. The highlight of the day came in their gritty three-set comeback victory over UC Davis A — a battle that tested both endurance and composure. In the decisive third set, Kenji Toombs delivered a massive service run that completely swung momentum in UCSD’s favor, sealing the match and energizing the squad.
On Sunday, the A-team entered the Gold Bracket with determination, facing a tough and highly competitive Arizona A team in the Round of 16. Despite a strong effort and relentless defense, UCSD fell short in a tightly contested match. The team showed incredible fight and unity throughout the weekend, proving they can go toe-to-toe with some of the best in the region. With continued growth and focus, they remain a dangerous contender heading into the next stretch of the season.
The B-team entered the tournament shorthanded but full of heart, showcasing their trademark resilience across every match. On Saturday, they battled through adversity using reserves to fill key positions — yet still managed to deliver scrappy, competitive play against top-tier opponents. They opened with a 0–2 loss to Arizona A, then pushed both UC Berkeley A and UVU B to three-set thrillers, narrowly falling short in each. Despite the results, the team’s grit and determination were evident in every rally.
Sunday brought another test as the B-team faced a scrappy UNLV squad, ultimately falling in two hard-fought sets. Even so, their effort and adaptability stood out, especially from Jameson, who stepped up to fill the setter role — a position far from his usual spot at outside hitter. His leadership and composure kept the offense steady and competitive throughout the weekend. The B-team continues to embody UC Slam Diego’s relentless spirit: no excuses, all heart, and an unwavering drive to improve every match.
10/25/25–10/26/25 – UCSD Men’s Club Volleyball – Fall Classic
The A-team brought energy and focus to the court on Saturday, facing a strong lineup of opponents throughout the day. The team began against UVU B, taking some time to find rhythm and ultimately falling short 0–2. Undeterred, they responded with competitive play against USC, battling hard but dropping a close 1–2 match. Momentum shifted from there, as the team found their groove and dominated CSUN B with a decisive 2–0 victory to close out the morning.
Sunday’s matches highlighted the A-team’s improved chemistry and execution. They swept Biola 2–0 with clean play, followed by a gritty 2–1 win over USD that showcased resilience under pressure. The day concluded with a confident 2–0 victory against UCI, ending the tournament on a high note. Kaz earned tournament MVP honors for cool-headed leadership and clutch plays, while Kenji Toombs was recognized for his pivotal role as the team’s only setter, keeping the offense running smoothly throughout the day. The A-team’s steady progress and composure under pressure continue to define their season, demonstrating that no challenge is too great when they perform as a unit.
The B-team faced a demanding schedule of top-tier A squads on Saturday. They opened against UVU A, struggling to establish rhythm and falling 0–2. The team quickly regrouped, showing determination in a thrilling 2–1 comeback win over USD A. Riding that momentum, the team closed out Saturday with an emphatic 2–0 sweep of Fullerton A, showcasing sharp serving and relentless defensive energy.
Sunday presented a new set of challenges as the B-team faced some of the strongest programs in the region. Despite hard-fought rallies, they fell 0–2 to both USC A and SDSU A, gaining valuable lessons in consistency and composure under pressure. The weekend concluded with a nail-biting 1–2 match against CSUN A, narrowly missing victory in a tough third set.
Kaden Kavanaugh delivered a standout performance, stepping up in the middle—a position he does not usually play—to help stabilize the front line and maintain team energy. While results were mixed, the B-team demonstrated flashes of high-level play and undeniable potential. Continued growth and focus indicate that they can compete with some of the best A-teams in Southern California, and the team’s progress suggests strong performances are ahead.
10/18/25 - Men’s Volleyball CBVT Tournament
The Tritons made their way up to Huntington beach for the first Collegiate Beach Volleyball Tournament (CBVT) tournament of the season! 4 pairs were sent to the tournament where they faced teams from schools like UCLA, UCSB, and UCI. Our highest seeded team faced tough competition going 2-1 and taking 2 matches to 3 sets where they ended up victorious. The Tritons showed great promise in their first beach tournament of the season and are continuing their preparation for the next!
4/16/25 - NCVF National Championships 2025 Recap
UC Slam Diego wrapped up the season in Phoenix at the NCVF National Championships, where both A and B teams put in solid performances and showed just how far they’ve come this year.
A-team got off to a slow start in pool play, putting themselves in a spot where their final match against Stanford would decide everything—first or last in the group. After a hard-fought three-set match with some questionable calls, they came up just short, landing at the bottom of the pool and out of the running for gold. But the team didn’t let that stop them. They bounced back strong, going on a five-game win streak to take first in the D1AA Bronze Bracket, beating Nebraska in the semifinals and Nevada Reno in the final. It wasn’t the finish they had hoped for, but it’s still a step forward from last year and a strong way to end the season.
B-team had a more consistent start, finishing 2-1 in pool play and first in their group. They made it into the D3 Gold Bracket, where they eventually faced off against UCSB B, a familiar and competitive matchup. Despite a tough loss, they held their own and left the tournament proud of their run. The team's already looking ahead to next season, motivated to come back even stronger.
Overall, both teams gained valuable experience on the national stage and finished the season with their heads held high. UC Slam Diego continues to grow—and there’s more to come.
3/16/25 - SCCVL West Region Challenge 2025
This weekend, UC Slam Diego’s A and B squads headed to Irvine for the SCCVL West Region Challenge, one of the toughest tournaments on the calendar and a key proving ground before nationals. Both teams brought the fire, showcasing grit, growth, and a healthy dose of chaos.
A-team ended the first day with a surprise loss to UCSB B in pool play, a reminder that no match can be taken lightly in a tournament this stacked. They regrouped and came into the first round of gold bracket play with renewed focus, facing off against University of Colorado—the eventual tournament champions. The match was an all-out battle, with UCSD pushing Colorado to the limit in a thrilling showdown that showed the team’s depth and resilience. While the loss ended their bracket run early, it was clear that the A-team can hang with the best. Special shoutout to team captain Kaz Veitas, who went an unreal 7-for-8 on coin tosses—a stat that might just be the spiritual MVP of the weekend.
The B-team had a wild ride of their own in Division III, navigating a pool full of upsets. After a strong win over CSU Long Beach and a tough loss to UCR, they secured second place in their pool and punched their ticket to the gold bracket with a solid crossover win against Pomona. Their rematch with UCR in the bracket was one for the books, with the first set stretching to an intense 29-27. Though they ultimately fell short, the performance showed just how far this squad has come.
Both teams continue to build chemistry, sharpen their skills, and embrace the chaos that makes this game so electric. With this being the last tournament before nationals, UC Slam Diego is locked in and hungry for more.
2/22/25 - SCCVL Regional Tournament
This Saturday, our A and B teams traveled to USC for the highly competitive SCCVL Regional Tournament, ready to face off against some of the toughest teams in Southern California. The A-team started the day with a challenging match against UCI, struggling to find their rhythm and ultimately taking a loss. Despite the setback, they quickly bounced back, defeating USC and demonstrating their resilience and ability to adapt. The most intense match of the day came against San Diego State, currently ranked #2 in the nation. A-team went toe-to-toe with SDSU, pushing the match to three sets and narrowly missing victory in a thrilling 15-17 final set. While this result likely means the A-team will not qualify for league championships, they left it all on the court. As they move forward, they are focused on maintaining service consistency and enhancing their communication and discipline, particularly in high-pressure situations.
The B-team showed up ready to compete with a full slate of five matches, finishing with a solid 3-2 record. They brought infectious energy and relentless smack talk in their match against UCSB B, earning a hard-fought win that set the tone for the day. Their match against SDSU B was a test of grit and mental toughness—they held a six-point lead but saw it slip away in a tough loss. Despite this stumble, the B-team's overall performance was strong, and they remain on track to qualify for league championships. They are hungry to prove themselves as the top B team in Southern California, ready to show they can compete with even the best A teams. Both squads are taking valuable lessons from this weekend, refining their play, and preparing to bring their best to every match ahead. UC Slam Diego is not backing down!
2/1/25 - Regional Crossover
This weekend’s crossover tournament tested both squads as the A-team battled in Division 1 and the B-team fought through Division 3. The A-team faced tough competition but delivered when it mattered, securing key wins against UCR, ASU, CSU Northridge, and Utah Valley. Their 4-5 record keeps them in contention for the league championships, proving they can hold their own against high-level teams. Despite some close losses, the team showed grit and adaptability, making crucial adjustments throughout the weekend.
B-team got off to a slow start, falling to ASU in straight sets. However, they found their rhythm as the tournament progressed, grinding through a hard-fought three-set match against CSUN B, where they edged out a thrilling 16-14 victory in the final set. They finished the weekend with a 3-4 record, demonstrating steady growth and resilience. With every match, both teams are sharpening their skills and gaining experience that will fuel their next battles on the court. UC Slam Diego is just getting started!
1/19/25 - UCR & UCI Scrimmages
Our A-team took on UCR A and UCI A in back-to-back scrimmages. Against UCR A, the team split sets 1-1, showing flashes of strong play. Facing a tough UCI A squad, we fell in two sets but gained valuable experience. With each match, the team continues to refine its game as we prepare for the upcoming season.
1/13/25 - MLK Invitational Tournament
The MLK Invitational in Temecula put our A and B teams to the test against some of the top competition in the region. Both teams started slow on day one, finishing pool play 1-2 after struggling to find their rhythm. Despite the rough start, there were flashes of strong play that set the stage for a competitive second day.
On day two, the B-team came out with something to prove in the bronze bracket. They took down UCI A in straight sets, showcasing their ability to compete with higher-seeded teams. In the final, they battled hard but ultimately finished second, marking an impressive turnaround from the previous day. Meanwhile, A-team advanced to the silver playoffs, where they faced GCU A in a tightly contested match. Despite putting up a strong fight, they fell just short, losing 22-25, 23-25 in a well-fought battle.
Though the weekend started off slow, both teams showed resilience, adapting and improving with each match. The B-team proved they can challenge top-tier competition, and the A-team demonstrated their ability to go toe-to-toe with strong programs. With valuable experience gained, UC Slam Diego is ready to build on this performance and come back stronger in the next tournament.
11/16/24 - CBVT League Championships
This was the tournament we’ve been waiting for, folks! All of the work our players put in from the past months led up to this tournament. Coming into the tournament as the second-ranked team in our respective pools and the third-ranked team overall put our performance expectations up there with the best, and we came more than prepared. The format of this tournament crowned both a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd seed champion, as well as an overall school champion, so each team’s victory was a step closer to the gold!
Our first seed team played LMU, winning in a competitive 2 sets and starting 2-0. They would later face UCSB, taking them to 3 sets and ultimately winning, securing their spot in the gold bracket. Unfortunately, they were forced to forfeit their shot at the finals and ended the day prematurely.
Our second-seed team started the day with a dominant playstyle and overwhelming charisma, beating LMU 2-0 with heavy pressure from the service line. They would later lose to UCSB 0-2, throwing away their opportunity for the gold bracket. They would then beat CSUSM and USC to come home as silver champions.
Our third-seed team started the day by beating LMU in 3 sets, securing a 2-1 win. They would follow in the second seed’s lead and unfortunately lose to UCSB 0-2, also landing them in the silver bracket. They ended the day with a battle against CSUSM, but couldn’t find the win today, ending 0-2.
The UCSD men’s beach volleyball club is extremely proud of how we performed overall in this CBVT season! We hope to continue growing our program and will be coming back next season with a new vigor! We will be sending some of our teams to NCVF Beach Nationals next week, and are excited to see how our pairs perform!
11/9/24 - SCCVL Fall Classic
The first official tournament of the season is always an exciting one. Sending both our A and B teams, we faced off against the best of the West Coast, battling through the first of many two-day tournaments for the season.
On day one, our A-team started out hot, taking down UC Santa Barbara B and USC B both in 2 sets. They would then face off against the top-ranked UCLA A, and would lose in a stubborn battle 0-2. They finished off the first day by taking down Point Loma Nazarene U A 2-0. Their Saturday record ended 3-1.
Our B-team came into the first day as underdogs, like usual. They were set to face USC A, UCR A, and CSU-Long Beach A. They would go in extra points against USC, never score less than 20 against UCR, and take Long Beach to a hard-fought three-set match, but, unfortunately, ended the day with a record of 0-3.
On day two, our players came with something to prove. The B-team lost their crossover match to UCI A, then easily took down UCR B and LMU A, securing a copper bracket victory. The A-team would finish their pool by taking down Cal Poly Pomona in two quick sets, and then losing to SDSU A in two. SDSU A and UCLA A would be the only losses for our A-team, and were also the two teams that battled for gold finals. Our A-team tied for 5th in the gold bracket.
The Fall Classic showed two things about our program: Our A-team can compete with the best in the league, and our B-team doesn’t back down when faced with a schedule littered with A-teams. We will be gathering lessons from this tournament to buff out our weak spots and create the best teams we can. Watch out for UC Slam Diego in winter quarter, SCCVL!
11/03/24 - CBVT South Regional at Wave
This was the last tournament of the CBVT season before League Champs and Nationals, as well as the first one hosted in San Diego. Our men’s club sent three pairs of players listed as a first, second, and third seed to face off against UCR, UCI, and CSUSM to defend home court and show them who runs SoCal.
Our first seed team played CSUSM, unfortunately losing in a tight 2 sets and starting off 0-2. They would later face UCR and UCI, redeeming their record and beating both confidently in 2 sets. They ended the day with a record of 2-1.
Our second seed team came out with guns blazing, beating CSUSM 2-0 with heavy pressure from the service line. They would later go on to beat UCI and UCR, 2-1 and 2-0, respectively. They finished with a record of 3-0.
Our third seed team started the day beating CSUSM in a quick 2 sets, securing a 2-0 win. It would go similarly in their match against UCR, another quick 2-0 win. They ended the day with an unfortunate but passionate loss against UCI, finishing 1-2 against the Anteaters. They ended 2-1.
The UCSD men’s beach volleyball club has fought tooth and nail to secure its status as League Champs! We are expecting our team performance to be nothing less than excellent.
10/27/24 - Anteater Invitational
Our Men’s A team made their presence known at the annual UCI preseason tournament. Playing a roster filled with new faces and undeveloped chemistry is no easy task, but UC Slam Diego took on the challenge.
Starting pool play off against UCR’s A team, we split sets, finishing 1-1 due to no third set being played. It would go similarly against USC’s A team, splitting 1-1. We ended pool play by taking both sets from UCI’s B team 2-0 and having a record of 4-2. This put us third in our pool going into bracket play. Our first match in the bracket was against UCI’s A team, who boasted home court advantage. Our Tritons would take the first set in a dominant fashion, but the Anteaters came back triumphantly in the second. The third set ultimately went to the Anteaters, and though upset, we Tritons were happy with the future potential of our team. UCI’s A team would go on to win the tournament. UC Slam Diego is back and better than ever! The SCCVL will learn to fear the ones they call the Tritons. We eagerly await a proper rematch against the teams that bested us this weekend, for you may have won the battle, but we will win the war!
10/19/24 - CBVT North vs. South Crossover
The Tritons sent up three teams for the Men’s division as well as four teams for the Women’s who are making their program debut! Having both groups go was great for program morale and support with multiple teammates able to watch and cheer. The men's first seed team won 2 of 3 sets against UCSB and handled Cal State San Marcos easily with a 2-0 win. However, they would go on to play Cal Poly San Luis Obispo who played extremely well, beating the Tritons 0-2. The second seed team followed suit, beating UCSB 2-0, losing to SLO 0-2, and then finishing their weekend by beating San Marcos 2-0. The third seed team, like their teammates, fell short against SLO 0-2 but battled hard against UCSB to win in 3 sets. Instead of facing San Marcos, the third seed team played UC Riverside, losing in 2 close sets. Although they had higher expectations for the weekend, they are feeling ready to take on future competition.
10/12/24 - CBVT Central vs. South Crossover
The Triton’s traveled up to Long Beach for their first tournament with the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Tournament (CVBT) marking their first game as an official club team. Three teams were sent and each played UCLA, USC, and LMU. The first seeded team won both sets against each team in a dominant 6-0 weekend. Both the second and third seeded teams struggled against UCLA and lost both sets, but rebounded and finished the weekend 4-2, sweeping USC and LMU. The Triton’s showed great promise in their first tournament and are continuing their preparation for the national tournament!
3/23/24 - West Region Challenge
This was the last tournament in the triple crown series that SCCVL runs. It was important for both teams to make one last impression on the league. The A team came in as the 1 seed within their pool. They managed to beat UC Davis B and San Marcos handedly. However, they went against a strong U Colorado A team that managed to overtake them in the ranking. This loss resulted in UCSD A finishing second in the pool.
The B team came in as the second seed within their pool. Similar to the A team, they won both of their first matches against USC B and Fresno by a large margin. The issue came when they went against the 1 seed within their pool UVU A. UVU was a solid team, but the B team battled hard and took them to 3 sets. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough and UVU came out with the win, but it was a great sign for the UCSD B team that they could compete against some of the best A teams the league had to offer. This concluded the first day with both the A team and the B team going 2-1 in their respective pools.
Now on the second day, pools were readjusted to have the best teams go on to play in the gold bracket. This was what both teams were fighting for. The UCSD A team fought against two ASU teams (A and B team). They managed to get 2 wins within their bracket (both going to 3 sets) and move onto the gold bracket. The B team fought hard in their pool and went 1-1. Luckily, they beat Boise in a very lose match and this also allowed them to move onto the gold bracket. By coincidence, the next game to play would be UCSD A vs UCSD B. All the players knew that this match would be quite the battle. The game went three sets and it seemed like every point contained a rally of some sort. No player wanted to give the other team any edge. The A team barely managed to squeeze out the win in the 3rd set 16>14. It was truly a great game, and unfortunately this would mean the tournament was over for the UCSD B team. The A team moved on to the semi finals where they played a powerhouse Cal Poly A team. This would prove quite challenging as the UCSD A team lost in straight sets. Cal Poly eventually went on to dominate and win the whole tournament unsurprisingly. The UCSD A team tied for 3rd place for the 3rd time this SCCVL season. The B team also made quite a run and were one of the few B teams who managed to finish within the gold bracket, which was a great accomplishment. This was a great way to end the tournament series that SCCVL had put on and both teams performed very competitively.
3/3/24 - Second Round of Regionals
This was a great day for both teams! Both teams realized that they would need to step it up if they wanted to qualify for league championships. With this in mind, the A team played 3 total matches. They managed to get two wins right off the bat against UCI A and UCR A. The final match was against SDSU A. This was a very strong team that had previously finished very high in the previous tournaments. Their track record did not disappoint and UCSD A lost in 2 straight sets. Although they lost, UCSD A managed to fight hard in the second set losing 27>25. Overall, this was a great day for the A team (2-1) when compared to their last tournament where they went 2-5.
The B team came in with a hungry mindset and it showed on the court. They did not play a third set all day and went undefeated. They were without a doubt the best B team in the gym and they proved it by holding opponents to scores such as 14 and 16. They were able to get smooth wins against UCR B, SDSU B, and UCI B to go 3-0 on the day.
With both teams having a much better second tournament of regionals, they managed to qualify for the league championships!
2/3/24 - First Round of SCCVL League Crossovers
Plenty of games were played by both teams within this span of two days. To start, the A team had a rough first day. They played some very tough teams , UCLA A, CSUN A, and U Arizona A. All these teams were very tough matchups, and the UCSD A team went without a win the first day. However, things picked up a bit on the second day. The A team managed to secure two wins out of the total four games they played on that second day. They managed to get their wins on UVU A team and UCSB A team (who had knocked them out of the previous tournament).
The B Team had a different set of teams to play against. They were registered for the DIII division and were one of if not the best team in the division. There first day did not go as expected however and they went 1-2. They lost against ASU B team and UCSB B team unfortunately. So, going into the second day they had the same mindset as the UCSD A team did. That was that they needed to turn it around. And turn it around they did, going undefeated (4-0) that second day. They only went to a third set once that second day and had a dominant performance over the rest of the field (holding GCU B team to 8 points in both sets). This was only the first round of regionals, so there was still time for both teams to improve and try to qualify for the regional championships.
1/20/24 - MLK Invite Tournament
Over the weekend of January 20th and 21st UCSD Club volleyball participated in the MLK tournament, the second in the Triple Crown series. UCSD Men’s B entered the tournament seeded 14th overall and competed as a two seed with University of Arizona A, University of Denver A, and UCSB C as the first, third, and fourth seeds respectively. UCSD took a clean win over UCSB in two sets and followed up the performance with another two-set game against Denver. In their final match, they put up a fight against Arizona, but ultimately couldn’t upset the first seed and ended the day holding their position and staying in the running for the Gold Division.
On day two they began with a crossover match with the winner of another pool, which ended up being Cal Poly SLO B. SLO entered the pool as a third seed on the first day and upset UCLA A and Utah Valley A to make it to their position, but couldn’t keep their streak going as B team beat them in 2 sets to make it into the gold bracket. Their next game was in round one of the Gold bracket against Arizona State A, who UCSD couldn’t quite keep up with. ASU would continue their bracket run into the finals where they lost in a 3-set match to UCSB A. In the end, UCSD B put up a strong showing by finishing the tournament tied for 5th, alongside UC Irvine A, Utah Valley A, and USC A, as well as being the only B team to make it into Gold.
UCSD A Team came into the tournament as the 4th overall seed after there 3rd place finish at the last tournament. There first day pool presented no challenges as they overcame a solid ASU B team, UCSB B team, and Cal Poly Pomona A team. This cemented the A team in the gold bracket for the second day of the tournament.
The second day would be a lot more difficult with only the best teams having advanced to the gold bracket. The A team rallied to defeat a very well coached Utah Valley Team in the third set 15>13. The A team was now battling for a spot in the finals in this next match. Unfortunately, their run ran out when they faced a tough UCSB A team. They were defeated in two straight sets, but ended up placing 3rd in the whole tournament. Overall, a strong performance from both teams!
