Saint Francis Men's Volleyball is set to compete against Loyola Chicago in their first-ever NCAA Tournament match. The game will take place in Long Beach, California, on Friday night at 10:00 PM EST (7:00 PM PST) and will be aired on ESPN+. A victory will propel the winner into the Regional Finals against No. 3 Long Beach State. Saint Francis secured their tournament berth by triumphing at the NEC Championship, defeating LIU and FDU.

By the Numbers
  • Brady Stump led Saint Francis with 24 kills and was named NEC Tournament MVP.
  • Sophomore Kyle Charles recorded 72 assists in the NEC Championship games.
  • Daniel Fabikovic of Loyola Chicago has 267 kills, making him the team's leader.
Yes, But

Loyola Chicago may pose a significant challenge as they are coming off a strong season, despite being runner-ups in their conference tournament. They have experience from last year's tournament and can leverage this in a high-stakes environment.

State of Play
  • This marks the first NCAA Tournament game for Saint Francis, showcasing their historic achievement.
  • Loyola Chicago, a seasoned tournament team, aims to perform better than last year's early exit.
What's Next

The winner of the Saint Francis vs. Loyola Chicago match will face Long Beach State in the Regional Finals on Saturday. This matchup will determine who advances further in the tournament.

Bottom Line

Saint Francis aims to capitalize on their momentum from the NEC Championship, while Loyola Chicago seeks redemption from last year's tournament exit. Expect a competitive matchup that could set the stage for a deeper run in the NCAA Tournament.