The top-ranked Waves (23-4, 18-2) are looking to finish the season on a high note heading into the Conference Tournament. In addition, only four teams advance to the four-team National Championships, to be held at Penn State next month. By winning the MPSF tourney, the Waves would clinch an automatic berth. Their strong regular season may also be enough to secure the lone wild card spot, should they be upset in the MPSF.
Leading the charge this year are freshman outside hitter Sean Rooney with 401 kills, and junior middle blocker Brad Keenan with 182 stuffs and 59 service aces.
Head coach Marv Dunphy is looking for the school's fifth national title and the first in ten years. Though perennial All-Americans George Roumain and Scott Wong finished their careers without a national title, this year's team may have a better chance due to their overall balance. The best talent on the team may be Rooney, the 6'8 freshman from Chicago who could be a cornerstone of the club for the next few years much the way Roumain and Wong were.
The Pacific match will be Thursday at 7pm, and Stanford checks in Saturday at 7pm. Pairings and schedule for the MPSF tourney will be announced after the regular season concludes.