THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's volleyball is headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the third-straight season, continuing a remarkable run of sustained success as one of Division III's premier programs.

The Kingsmen enter postseason play with a 21-6 overall record, including an impressive 9-3 mark against AVCA-ranked opponents. Riding momentum from a hard-fought 3-1 road win over UC Santa Cruz to close the regular season, CLU now shifts its focus to the national stage once again—this time traveling to Hoboken, New Jersey, for the Stevens Regional.

Cal Lutheran, now ranked No. 5 nationally, will face No. 12 Endicott in the opening round on Friday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. PT. Endicott advanced after sweeping its play-in match and enters the contest on a significant winning streak after capturing the New England Volleyball Conference (NEVC) title.

On the other side of the pod, host Stevens will take on MIT, who also advanced via a straight-set play-in victory. The winners of Friday's matches will meet on Saturday with a trip to the NCAA Semifinals on the line. The national semifinals and championship will be held at top-ranked Springfield.

THE KINGSMEN
Cal Lutheran has built one of the strongest resumes in the country, combining high-level wins with consistent production across all facets of the game. The Kingsmen are hitting .274 as a team while averaging 11.7 kills per set, backed by a disciplined defense that records 9.2 digs and 2.0 blocks per set.

Leading the charge is AVCA All-Region selection Brendan Hom, who has emerged as a dynamic offensive force in his first season with the program. The junior outside hitter leads the team with 3.26 kills per set while hitting .307 and pacing the squad with 36 service aces.

Defensively, senior Libero Braden Gonzales anchors the back row. Also an AVCA All-Region honoree, Gonzales is averaging a program-record 2.97 digs per set and continues to rewrite the record books after setting the single-season digs mark last year.

The Kingsmen feature a balanced attack, with Connor Crawford (2.74 kills/set), Tyler Linville (2.99 kills/set), and Matthew Wilcox—who leads the team with 1.01 blocks per set—providing key contributions. Sophomore setter Gavin Galanski orchestrates the offense with 8.70 assists per set, guiding one of the top attacks in the nation.

With a veteran core, impactful transfers, and championship experience—including the 2024 national title and a 2025 semifinal appearance—Cal Lutheran enters the tournament battle-tested and poised for another deep run.

NO. 12 ENDICOTT
Endicott enters the NCAA Tournament riding significant momentum after winning the NEVC Championship and extending its winning streak to over 20 matches. The Gulls have been one of the hottest teams in the country following a slow start to the season.

Offensively, Endicott is powered by seniors Aidan Iacovelli and Jake Laborde, who have combined for more than half of the team's total kills. Defensively, Libero Dan Battista has been a standout, totaling nearly 300 digs on the season and anchoring the back line.

Friday's matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between Endicott and Cal Lutheran.

NO. 4 STEVENS
The Ducks enter the tournament as one of the most consistent programs in the field, having won five consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championships. Stevens boasts a deep and balanced roster, with multiple players contributing across both offense and defense.

Ryan Schmid and Julius Stiemer lead the offensive attack, combining for over 450 kills, while Tyler Hoke anchors the net with a team-high blocking presence. The Ducks' depth is a defining strength, with contributions throughout the lineup making them a formidable host.

NO. 15 MIT
MIT makes just its second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history after capturing the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Championship. The Engineers defeated their play-in opponent in straight sets to advance and will now face Stevens.

A young and emerging squad, MIT is led by UVC Tournament MVP Nate Toth, with underclassmen playing key roles across the lineup. Their energy and momentum make them a dangerous opponent in the bracket.

LOOKING AHEAD
With four teams vying for a single spot in the national semifinals, the Stevens Regional sets the stage for a competitive weekend of high-level volleyball.

For Cal Lutheran, the mission remains clear: lean on experience, execute at a high level, and continue the championship standard that has defined the program's recent rise.