MCVL, U.S.A. — The Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League today announced the addition of Spalding University for the 2026 season. The Golden Eagles will get the league back to 10 NCAA Division III institutions in 2026 after nine take the court in '25.
"First I would like to thank Commissioner [Chuck) Yrigoyen and our member institutions for the opportunity to join the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League in 2026," said Spalding Director of Athletics Brian Clinard. "We are all excited to be part of the MCVL family. It's an incredible opportunity for Coach Eric Garvey and our student-athletes to compete for a championship in the inaugural year of the program," he continued. "We also look forward to showcasing the MCVL and our great member institutions to Louisville and the state of Kentucky, and continuing to grow the game of men's volleyball."
It's always exciting to welcome new members to the league," said Yrigoyen. "Like the rest of our membership, Spalding University has a rich history in Division III athletics. The school adds a major metropolitan area and keeps our geographic reach at four states." The MCVL has an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament and will be in its 11th year of competition this coming winter.
"We are thrilled to join the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League for our inaugural season in 2026. The MCVL has a great history and reputation of high-level collegiate volleyball, and we look forward to competing as a member," Coach Garvey said.
Spalding fills the void left by the departure of Fontbonne University. Fontbonne announced it will be closing at the end of the coming academic year. "This announcement also gives me the opportunity to thank Fontbonne for its 10-year run in the MCVL," Yrigoyen said. While saddened by its decision to close, Fontbonne's impact on the league is undeniable. A charter member of the league, the school won two regular-season championships and played in two NCAA tournaments as our automatic qualifier."
Spalding's multi-sport conference affiliation is the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference where last year the Golden Eagles were fourth in the All-Sports Trophy standings. Spalding won 2023-24 conference titles in women's golf and baseball. Four multisport conferences are represented by the nine existing MCVL members — Adrian (MIAA), Baldwin Wallace (OAC), Calvin (MIAA), Mount St. Joseph (HCAC), Mount Union (OAC), Olivet (MIAA), Trine (MIAA), Wabash (NCAC), and Wittenberg (NCAC).