BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo State men's volleyball team already established themselves as a premier volleyball destination in just their second season year of existence. AMCC Coach of the Year Daniel Miranda led the Bengals to a perfect 6-0 regular season conference record, an AMCC Championship, and an NCAA Tournament berth after posting a phenomenal 2025 campaign.
 
The Bengals continued to set multiple program records while also showcasing their talents as a high-end program. Miranda's squad saw team program records for wins (21), longest win streak (11), kills (1,400), assists (1,294), and digs (1,264). Buffalo State lost just three sets all season in conference play including the playoffs as they swept Mount Aloysius and Penn State Behrend in the AMCC Tournament to earn the conference crown.
 
Buffalo State opened the season with four matchups in five games against nationally ranked schools. The team continued to perform at a high level as the season went on before heading to Puerto Rico for three contests featuring the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, Warner University, and Edgewood College. Following the trip, the Bengals finished the season dropping just one match the rest of the regular season. After their dominant postseaosn run, the Bengals earned their first NCAA Tournament berth in program history where they battled Baruch College at host-New York University. Despite falling in four sets to the Bearcats, reaching the NCAA Tournament in a program's second season is a high accomplishment.
 
Individually, the Bengals saw four players earn AMCC All-Conference. Malachi Jackson (Buffalo, NY/Cheektowaga), Alex Vega (Cambita Garabitos, Dominican Republic), and Kaden Strong (Buffalo, NY/West Seneca East) earned First Team with Jackson being named the Player of the Year. Drew Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) was a Second Team selection for Buffalo State. Vega also earned a spot on the AVA All-Region II Team.
 
Jackson was a crucial piece of the Bengals as he led the team and AMCC in kills (255), kills per set (3.70), points per set (4.2), and was third in the conference with a .305 attack percentage across 69 sets played heading into the NCAA Tournament. Jackson also set the program record for kills in a season (271), kills per set (3.71), and points (310.5). Vega was also a pivotal piece for the Bengals as he totaled 339 digs and a .964 reception percentage averaging 3.36 digs per set. Vega led the conference in digs and digs per set while also setting new program marks in both categories.
 
The Buffalo State men's volleyball team has set the bar high following their second season of competition. After their first year in the AMCC proved to be a success, the Bengals will aim to be a constant contender in the conference and make their presence known in the NCAA Tournament.