SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – No. 5 Cal Lutheran men's volleyball saw its postseason run come to a close on Thursday evening, falling in straight sets to top-seeded Springfield College (25-20, 25-21, 25-18) in the NCAA Final Four inside Blake Arena.
Facing one of the nation's most complete teams on its home floor, the Kingsmen were unable to match the Pride's high-powered serving and efficient offensive execution. Despite a competitive effort throughout, Cal Lu was out-hit .447 to .163 and never fully found the rhythm that had defined its postseason surge.
Springfield set the tone early to take control of the opening set. The Kingsmen trailed by as many as ten before rallying late behind a pair of service aces from
Connor Crawford to cut the deficit to four, but the Pride closed out the frame, 25-20.
The second set proved to be Cal Lutheran's strongest push. The Kingsmen built an early 8-4 advantage behind balanced offense and Springfield errors, but the Pride responded with a decisive run fueled by unyielding service pressure. The set remained tight deep into the frame, but Springfield delivered in key moments to secure a 25-21 win and take a commanding 2-0 lead.
In the third, the Pride continued its steady, high-level play, capitalizing on errors and maintaining control throughout. Cal Lu showed flashes, including a late push sparked by back-to-back aces from
Matthew Wilcox, but the deficit proved too much as Springfield completed the sweep with a 25-18 victory.
Crawford led the Kingsmen with 10 kills and three aces, while
Brendan Hom added five kills.
Aidan Godfrey and
Mason Rowell each contributed four kills, and Wilcox totaled two aces and three blocks at the net.
Gavin Galanski dished out 25 assists along with seven digs, while Libero
Braden Gonzales anchored the back row with 10 digs in his final collegiate match.
Springfield's offense spread the wealth, placing three players with seven or more kills while hitting at an efficient .447 clip as a team. The Pride also held advantages in aces (7-5) and blocks (9-3), consistently applying pressure from the service line and at the net.
The atmosphere inside Blake Arena played a significant role, with a packed crowd of over 1,700 creating by far the most electric environment the Kingsmen have experienced this season. In a match played at a relentless pace both on the court and in the stands, Springfield never let the momentum shift.
Cal Lutheran closes its season with a 23-7 overall record and its third consecutive NCAA Final Four appearance, capping yet another milestone year for the program.
Thursday's match also marked the end of decorated careers for seniors Crawford, Gonzales, and Godfrey. The trio helped lead the Kingsmen to back-to-back Final Four appearances, highlighted by a national championship in 2024 for Crawford and a sustained run among the nation's elite.
Crawford, the team's captain, delivered a breakout senior campaign, finishing the season averaging 3.44 points per set while emerging as one of the program's primary offensive leaders.
Gonzales closes his career as Cal Lutheran's all-time leader in digs with 611, adding to his single-season program record of 311 set this year. Over two seasons with the Kingsmen, the transfer Libero established himself as one of the most consistent defensive presences in program history and a cornerstone of the program's success.
While the season ended short of a national championship appearance, the Kingsmen's run underscores the program's continued rise and the strength of a group defined not only by resilience and postseason success, but by a brotherhood that will leave a lasting mark on Cal Lutheran men's volleyball.
