SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Buffalo State men's volleyball team fell in the first round of the NCAA DIII Men's Volleyball Tournament to top-seeded Springfield College Pride, 3-1, ending their stellar 2025-26 season.  

GAME BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Springfield College – 3, Buffalo State – 1
SET SCORES: (25-22, 14-25, 15-25, 17-25)
LOCATION: Blake Arena – Springfield, MA
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 29-4 (12-0 AMCC), Springfield College: 22-3 (DIII Independent)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Gavin Wilczewski (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) led the Bengals with 15 kills, while racking up 17.0 points. Kaden Strong (Buffalo, NY/West Seneca East), Kellen Palmer (Buffalo, NY/Canisius High School), and Brady Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) all finished with five kills in support.
• Drew Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) led the Bengals with 30 assists.
• Wilczewski led defensively with eight digs. B. Bowman added seven digs, and Palmer recorded a team-high three blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Battling it out and surviving a five-set play-in bout with New Jersey City last night, the Bengals returned to NCAA Tournament action as they looked to pull off the upset on top-seeded Springfield College Pride.
• Action began in the first set, as the Bengals faced a tough road to victory, trailing in the set after an eight-point rally from the Pride. However, things would play out well for the Bengals, who respond with a five-point rally of their own to stay afloat in this contest. After trading points throughout the set, the Bengals found themselves in the driver's seat, holding onto a two-point set lead…before driving past the Pride and stealing the first set!
• The second set would see the Bengals' confidence rise, proving that they can hang with anyone throughout the tournament. After another series of trading points to begin the set, the Bengals would fall behind as the Pride would rattle off six straight points to gain the advantage. This would be the theme of the set, as the Pride would rally from four straight points late in play, taking down the Bengals and tying this First Round matchup at 1 game apiece.
• In the third set, the Bengals tried to regain momentum, but the Pride dominated from the start. Two consecutive runs of four points each put the Bengals in an early hole, and another four-point streak later in the set widened the gap. Although the Bengals fought back, picking off points when possible, a final four-point run secured the set for the Pride and left the Bengals on the brink of NCAA Tournament elimination.
• In the fourth set, the Bengals fought hard, showing why they belonged among the best teams in the NCAA Tournament. However, the Pride dominated this critical set. Momentum swung the Pride's way, and a run of four consecutive points proved too much for the Bengals, who ultimately fell in the First Round of the NCAA DIII Men's Volleyball Tournament.
• These Bengals worked hard all season, breaking the program's record for most wins and surpassing last season's mark from the NCAA Tournament…Congratulations guys!

FOR THE FOES

• Carter Durivage led all players with 16 kills and 18 points, while Dyan Mulvaney also led all players with 49 assists.
• Defensively, Ricardo Ortiz led all players with ten digs, with Brennan Cutter finishing with five total blocks at the net.