UCLA Men’s Volleyball Secures Top Seed in NCAA Tournament UCLA’s men’s volleyball program has earned the top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, marking another milestone in the Bruins’ storied history. The announcement came on April 26, 2026, following a dominant season that saw UCLA claim its ninth Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Tournament title. The Bruins capped off their conference tournament run with a 3-1 victory over USC in the MPSF final on April 25, 2026. This win secured UCLA’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and positioned them as the No. 1 overall seed. Just two days prior, on April 23, UCLA had defeated BYU in the MPSF semifinals to advance to the championship match. UCLA’s success builds on recent national championship success. The Bruins won back-to-back NCAA titles in 2023 and 2024, giving them 20 total national championships in program history. According to the program’s official records, UCLA has won a record 21 NCAA men’s volleyball titles the most in the sport’s history. The Bruins enter the NCAA tournament with a 29-1 record, reflecting their dominance throughout the 2026 season. Their only loss came early in the year against a non-conference opponent. UCLA’s potent offense, led by standout performers, has been a key factor in their success. Long Beach State also earned a high seed after winning the Big West Conference title. The 49ers defeated Hawaii in a five-set thriller to claim their conference championship on April 25, 2026. Like UCLA, Long Beach State brings recent national championship experience to the tournament, having won the title in 2023 and 2024. The expanded 12-team NCAA tournament format features the top four seeds receiving preferential placement. These teams will likely host three-team regionals during the first weekend of play, scheduled for May 1-2, 2026. The regional champions will advance to the national semifinals on May 9 at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. UCLA’s home arena, Pauley Pavilion, has a capacity of 12,829 for volleyball matches and has hosted numerous NCAA tournament matches throughout the program’s history. The facility serves as the Bruins’ home court and will be a significant advantage if they advance to the national semifinals. John Hawks serves as UCLA’s head coach for the 2026 season, taking over the program after John Speraw’s departure following the 2024 season. Speraw left to become president and CEO of USA Volleyball after leading UCLA to consecutive national titles. The Bruins’ volleyball program dates back to 1953, making it one of the nation’s oldest and most successful collegiate volleyball programs. UCLA joined the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for men’s volleyball competition and has been a consistent powerhouse in the conference. As the top seed, UCLA will aim to add to its impressive trophy case and pursue a third consecutive national championship. The team’s combination of experienced leadership, talented roster, and home-court advantage positions them as a favorite to cut down the nets in May.
28