The Continental Volleyball Conference will close out its 2022 season this week with the start of the conference tournament. For the second straight year, the tournament field includes Juniata College, Kean University, Marymount University, Randolph-Macon College, Rutgers University-Newark, and Southern Virginia University. The 2022 CVC Tournament will be a three-day tournament beginning on Tuesday, April 5 with the semifinals on April 8 and the championship match on April 9. Top seed Rutgers-Newark will host both the semifinals and the championship match.
Tournament Schedule
Quarterfinals - Tuesday, April 5 - At Higher Seed
Match 1: #5 Randolph-Macon at #4 Marymount, 7 p.m. ET
Match 2: #6 Kean at #3 Juniata, 6 p.m. ET
Semifinals - Friday, April 8 - At Rutgers-Newark
Match 3: #1 Rutgers-Newark vs. Winner of Match 1, 5 p.m. ET
Match 4: #2 Southern Virginia vs. Winner of Match 2, 7:30 p.m. ET
Championship - Saturday, April 9 - At Rutgers-Newark
Match 5: Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4, 4 p.m. ET
Ticket Link - Follow this link for purchasing tickets to the semifinals and championship match
| #1 Rutgers University-Newark SCARLET RAIDERS | ||||
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Recording just the fourth undefeated full conference season in CVC history the #5 nationally ranked Scarlet Raiders come into the tournament looking for its first title since 2015. The Scarlet Raiders have won three straight overall and are led by All-American Andrew Zaleck. The junior leads the conference at 4.19 kills per set and in aces and points per set this season. His 260 kills are just ahead of teammate Arvind Kumar, who has totaled 242 kills and 113 digs this spring. While getting only about half the attempts as his team's top two hitters, Daniel Quay has been effective when given the chance. The middle hitter is hitting .433 this year with his 137 kills while ranking 3rd in the league in blocks per set. Derek Au (11.25 assists per set) leads the Scarlet Raiders attack which is averaging a league-best 12.88 kills per set. Defensively Matt Nikishin averages 2.23 digs per set.
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Scarlet Raiders Quick Facts Head Coach: Jack Wilson Scarlet Raiders Stats Hitting Pct: .286 |
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| #2 Southern Virginia University KNIGHTS | ||||
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The two-time defending CVC Tournament champions, Southern Virginia, is ranked #8 in the nation. The Knights are anchored by All-American Nahuel Recabarren. The senior has recorded 266 kills, 95 digs, and 48 total blocks this season while hitting .288 from his outside position. McKay Walker (126 kills) and Kyler Evans (110 kills) offer other attack options for setter Kaipo Tagaloa, who is averaging 9.18 assists per set. Tagaloa is active not only offensively but leads the team with 99 digs as well. The net defense is a partnership of Walker (50 blocks), Recabarren, and Kristo Puente (49 blocks).
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Knights Head Coach: Tom Peterson Knights Stats Hitting Pct: .291 |
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| #3 Juniata College EAGLES | ||||
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Juniata brings in a conference-best eight-match winning streak and has totaled a league-best 25 wins this season. The #12 nationally ranked Eagles lead the CVC with a .314 hitting percentage thanks to a strong middle combination of Kevin Duffy and Luke Hoffman. Duffy, the reigning CVC Player of the Year, has 234 kills with 77 blocks while hitting .465 this year. Hoffman meanwhile is hitting .426 on his 163 kills and has totaled 71 blocks; giving the Eagles two of the top four blockers in the league. Tyler Goldsborough leads the team with 272 kills while Will Phelan gives the team three players with over 200 kills. Reese Ganter is averaging 8.58 assists per set with Peter Carioto leading the team in digs.
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Eagles Head Coach: Glenn DeHaven Eagles Stats Hitting Pct: .314 |
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| #4 Marymount University SAINTS | ||||
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Marymount, who is ranked #13 in the latest AVCA poll, tallied 22 wins this season; their most since 2018. The Saints have the league's second-best attack this year; averaging 12.45 kills per set and hitting .294 as a team. The attack boasts five players with triple-digit kills this year with Raymond Tarasi leading the way with 221. Ervin Harrell is not far off with 196 while Jason Perkins is hitting .451 with 128 kills. Miles Olson and Hayden Kerekes have also reached the century mark with Sava Topich dishing out 676 assists this season. Chris Manganiello is one of three Saints with over 100 digs, totaling 114.
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Saints Head Coach: Dan Liberto Saints Stats Hitting Pct: .294 |
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| #5 Randolph-Macon College YELLOW JACKETS | ||||
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The Yellow Jackets used a program-best start this season, winning its first eight matches of the year and reaching the national rankings for the first time in program history. The trio of Drew Klein, Kolby Gibson, and Jarret Carrano are the featured hitters. Klein leads the team with 258 kills while Gibson and Carrano are pushing up on the 200 kill mark. Scotty Carter and Sean Cunningham have also reached triple digits in kills. Cunningham is also among the league's top blockers, totaling 78 this season. Cade Terrell has taken the reigns as the team's setter, averaging 8.60 per set. Libero John Saxman is charged with keeping the ball alive, totaling a team-high 157 digs.
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Yellow Jackets Quick Facts Head Coach: Christian Taylor Yellow Jackets Stats Hitting Pct: .214 |
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| #6 Kean University COUGARS | ||||
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Kean will be looking for the program's second-ever tournament title, joining the one in 2018. The Cougars' attack boasts the only player to reach 300 kills this season, Duncan Beilke. The right-side hitter has 311 kills, adding 102 digs and 46 blocks this year. A pair of freshmen have stepped into the rotation to add to the attack; Rajheem Meulens (193 kills) and Quincy Rooi (158 kills). Zachary Noll leads the team with 668 assists while Kevin Molina has a team-high 133 digs. Maxwell Thompson ranks 3rd in the league with 72 blocks.
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Cougars Head Coach: Bez Arslani Cougars Stats Hitting Pct: .217 |
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