MCVL, U.S.A. — For the first time in Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League history, six teams will qualify for the league tournament. Since 2015 — the first year of MCVL play — only four teams made the league's postseason. The decision was made by the MCVL's administrators and writes another chapter in what is becoming a story of opportunity and excellence in NCAA Division III men's volleyball.
The tournament will continue to be hosted by the regular-season champion as determined by the league standings and, when necessary, the MCVL's tie-breaking formula. Expansion to six teams means the top two seeds will get byes. First-round match-ups between the #4 seed and the #5 seed, and the #3/6 seeds will take place on Thursday, April 8, 2027. The winners will advance to Friday's semifinals on April 9 where #2 will play the 3/6 winner and the #1 will play the 4/5 winner. The victorious semifinalists advance to the championship match on Saturday, April 10.
"We are excited to expand this postseason opportunity to our student-athletes," said Chuck Yrigoyen, Commissioner of the MCVL. "The quality of play in our league has really ramped up in recent years, and this is a great time to show that quality in what has become an incredibly competitive tournament."
Wittenberg needed five grueling sets to dispatch Calvin in the MCVL championship match this past April. Wittenberg then made a memorable march all the way to the NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Championship's semifinal round. Four different teams won the league tournament in the past five years, again showing the level of competition in the MCVL postseason.
Led by head coach Aaron Sagraves, the Calvin men's volleyball had a standout 2026 season, producing an overall record of 21-5. The Knights took third in the MCVL regular season but advanced to the MCV: Tournament Championship match with a three-set semifinal win over Trine.
Calvin is set to open its 2027 season on January 15 when it faces Maranatha Baptist and Lakeland in the Knight Classic. Calvin opens MCVL Tournament play on February 19 when it travels to Spalding University (Ky.).
