By Noah Schuessler
Blake Arena awaits a monstrous crowd ahead of tonight’s championship match for the Division III Men’s Volleyball tournament. The Firebirds of Carthage College will take on the championship hosts, the Springfield College Pride. With both teams having historic resumes of their own, Saturday night will be a matchup for the ages.
The theme of the game might end up being a theme of revenge for both teams. Carthage had its season ended by the Pride last year in Tarble Arena back in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In a brutal five set quarterfinal match, the Pride defeated the Firebirds to end their season at home. For Springfield, the last time they faced the Firebirds in the national championship game, the Pride were handed a 3-1 loss in front of a Carthage home crowd.
Now with the tables turned and Carthage playing in Springfield’s house in the championship game, both teams will have something to play for and a point to prove.
“You know, Springfield-Carthage has been a rivalry forever in Division III men’s volleyball, but these guys only have that experience from last year,” Carthage Head Coach JW Kieckhefer said. “I think that when that last ball fell last year, it really felt like we’re going to wait 365 days to play the same match next year.”
Each team faced a challenging semifinal opponent, but ultimately faced little pushback as they made their way to the finals. The afternoon matchup featured the Pride facing off against the California Lutheran Kingsmen. In front of nearly 1800 people filled to the brim in Blake Arena, The Pride used the sheer magnitude of the pumped up home crowd to their advantage. The Kingsmen were able to keep things close throughout the first two sets, but once the roar of the Pride fanbase increased, the momentum swung entirely towards Springfield, who won the match in a 3-0 sweep.
“To have so much participation from all the teams on campus, coming out to the match and supporting us, it’s like an extra player or a couple extra points for sure,” Springfield Head Coach Charlie Sullivan said. “I truly believe that the Springfield College community is unique.”
The nightcap match showed no difference at least in the scoreline. The Tigers of Wittenberg, the Cinderella team of the tournament, faced off against a talented Carthage team. Similar to the first game of the night, Carthage looked and remained in total control as they also took the victory in a 3-0 sweep over the Tigers.
Though the packed crowd of the first match wasn’t in full force during the nightcap match, the Firebird fanbase came out in full support, making the journey of almost 1000 miles to show up for their team. They will likely be heavily outnumbered by the numerous Springfield sports teams that have been showing up, but the Firebirds fans will make sure that they will be heard heading into tomorrow’s final
Overall, it was a valiant effort from both California Lutheran and Wittenberg, but ultimately their opponents were just too strong.
After months of grueling practices and a rigorous schedule with many long travel days, it all comes down to one final game. One final opportunity to showcase all that they have been working for this year. For Carthage, a chance to return to the top, a place where they haven’t been since that championship victory at home back in 2022. For the Pride, this game provides an opportunity to hoist the national championship trophy for the first time since 2018, and to do it after the emotionally crushing defeat in last year’s title match.
For any volleyball fans, or even sports fans in general, this isn’t the match that you will want to miss. Two out of the top three teams in the nation, dueling it out for one last time in the 2026 season is must-see TV. Two teams with historic programs. Two teams with head coaches who will have a lasting legacy on the sport. Two teams that have memories of defeat at the hands of the other team. One match to determine it all, tonight at 7 in Blake Arena. You won’t want to miss the historic conclusion to a storied rivalry.
Photo by Emma Bynes/The Student