NCAA Regional Finals (VBelo Daily: May 02, 2026)

The Elite Eight

May 02, 2026

The Middles were eating against the Nittany Lions. (UCI Athletics)

Number of the Day

20 - The match of the day was absolutely UC Irvine and Penn State. The difference maker was the middles for UC Irvine. The Anteater Middle duo of Goss and Clark combined for 20 kills and just 2 errors. They hit .620 as a pair! They needed this type of performance to hold back Penn State and it was just enough. They also combined for 10 blocks against the best blocking team in the country. The Anteaters have to be feeling good (and tired) after this victory.

Yesterday’s Regional Opening Round Scores

Pepperdine (93%) def. Fort Valley State (7%)
3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-17)

Cole Hartke started the postseason the same way he has been playing all season long: dominant. The AVCA Player of the Year Semifinalist finished with 13 kills on 20 swings with 0 errors (.650%). The waves as a whole hit .541!

UC Irvine (55%) def. Penn State (45%)
3-2 (25-18, 27-29, 19-25, 25-17, 15-13)

The model thought this could be a battle and that is exactly what it was! One of the best passing teams in the country against one of the best blocking teams. In the end, UC Irvine found a way to win. The Anteaters never hit below .300 for a set and their middles were a huge part of this. It is so sad to see Pav leave, but going the distance in the NCAA tournament feels like a fitting send off.

Loyola Chicago (85%) def. Saint Francis (15%)
3-0 (30-28, 29-27, 25-20)

The Ramblers controlled the service line and the net all night. Loyola out-blocked SFU 9-2 and out-aced the Red Flash 8-2 in the tightly contested sweep.

Southern California (75%) def. Belmont Abbey (25%)
3-0 (25-18, 25-20, 25-21)

Belmont Abbey put up a strong fight, but ultimately it is the Trojans who will fight on. Dillon Klein led the Trojans with 11 kills. Zach Puentes (BAC) led all players with 12 kills in an impressive night.