THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's volleyball is set to host the CLU Invitational on January 10-11. This year, the tournament features Calvin University, University Mount Union, Wisconsin Lutheran College, and No. 15 UC Santa Cruz. Tickets for the event can be purchased here (Day 1 | Day 2). General admission is $10/day, while children under 12 and students with ID will get in for free. See the tournament schedule below for links to live stats and free live streams.
CALVIN: The Knights have been picked to finish fifth in the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League after a 6-19 overall finish last season. They held a .139 attack percentage led by opposite Gabriel Laughlin. Libero Parker Steele was first in digs with 176 and middle blocker/opposite Nick Bultje led with 79 total blocks.
This will be just the second match up between the Knights and the Kingsmen. Last February, Cal Lutheran won in three sets.
MOUNT UNION: Also members of the MCVL, the Purple Raiders were chosen to finish third in the preseason poll. They went 13-10 (7-2 conference) last season and recorded a .236 team hitting percentage. Opposite hitter Jack McClure led the offense with 357 kills and 30 aces last year, while Camden Weeg collected 54 total blocks. Libero Peyton Koszelak was first in digs with 265.
This is the first time the Kingsmen and the Purple Raiders will meet in the history of their programs.
WISCONSIN LUTHERAN: The Warriors are coming off a 4-20 (1-11 conference) record in the 2024 season. They held a .081 team attack percentage, and allowed their opponents to a .236. Drew Wempner led the team in kills with 165 and was second in blocks behind Grant Wempner who posted 53.
This will also be the first ever match up between Cal Lutheran and the Warriors.
UC SANTA CRUZ (NO. 15): The Banana Slugs enter the 2025 season ranked in the top 20 after achieving a 17-10 record last year. Already down 0-1, they are coming off a recent 1-3 loss to Menlo. Middle blocker Kyle Ownbey is leading with a .563 hitting percentage, quarterbacked by setter Andrew Pak.
The Kingsmen do not face Santa Cruz this weekend, but will travel to them next week.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Friday, January 10
Gilbert Arena
3 PM: CLU vs. Calvin (CLU ring ceremony before the match)
CLU wins 3-0 (25-14, 25-14, 25-11)
6 PM: CLU vs. Mt. Union
Mt. Union wins 3-2 (13-25, 21-25, 25-18, 26-24, 15-11)
Soiland Recreation Center
3 PM: Mt. Union vs. Wisconsin Lutheran
Mt. Union wins 3-1 (25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 25-18)
6 PM: UC Santa Cruz vs. Wisconsin Lutheran
UC Santa Cruz wins 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-21)
Saturday, January 11
Gilbert Arena
12 PM: CLU vs. Wisconsin Lutheran
CLU wins 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-11)
3 PM: UC Santa Cruz vs. Mt. Union
UC Santa Cruz wins 3-0 (29-27, 25-16, 25-19)
Soiland Recreation Center
12 PM: Calvin vs. UC Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz wins 3-0 (25-14, 25-22, 25-15)
3 PM: Calvin vs. Wisconsin Lutheran
Wisconsin Lutheran wins 3-1 (20-25, 25-23, 26-24, 25-22)
