Where better to win it all than the place the sport was born? On Saturday, April 25, inside a sold-out Blake Arena, top-seeded Springfield swept No. 3 Carthage 3-0 to claim the 2026 NCAA Division III men’s volleyball championship — the Pride’s sixth NCAA crown and first since 2018, won on their own floor in front of 2,000 roaring fans.
Volleyball was invented by a Springfield College grad back in 1895. On Saturday, the Pride reminded everyone whose house this really is.
Redemption, served
This one tasted even sweeter because of how last season ended. Springfield walked off the court in 2025 as national runner-up, swept by Southern Virginia in the final. The Pride spent a year stewing on it — and answered with a championship sweep of their own.
A program in a class by itself
The win extends Springfield’s lead as the most decorated program in DIII men’s volleyball history. The Pride have now won NCAA titles in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2026 — six in all — and that’s on top of six pre-NCAA national championships, giving the program a staggering twelve national titles overall. Every single one has come under head coach Charlie Sullivan, the reigning National Coach of the Year.
Three sets, all heart
Carthage came to fight. The Firebirds hung tough in a wild opening set, even reaching set point before Springfield clawed back, knotted it at 24, and slammed the door for a 29-27 win. From there the Pride found another gear, taking the second 25-21 and pulling away late in the third 25-16 to finish the sweep.
The dagger was pure Springfield: a kill from Jake DesLauriers and an ace from Will Kirchhoff set up match point, and then Carter Durivage — the engine of the offense all year — ripped the clincher off the Carthage block to set off the celebration.
The maestro: Dylan Mulvaney
Senior setter Dylan Mulvaney ran the show and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. A four-time All-American who closed his career with more than 3,400 assists — among the program’s all-time best — Mulvaney was also named the DIII National Setter of the Year for the second straight season. Teammates Jake DesLauriers and Ricardo Ortiz joined him on the All-Tournament Team.
Built on the block
“It’s all coach’s game plans — his scouts were unbelievable,” said junior middle blocker Brennan Cutter, who anchored a Springfield defense that smothered Carthage’s attack all night. That blocking density was the difference, turning Firebirds swings into Pride points and runs.
Eight seniors, one perfect sendoff
The Pride sent their eight-man senior class out as champions, closing the year 25-3 and bringing the trophy back where the sport began. Sullivan called coaching in that sold-out, hometown environment a privilege few ever get. Next spring, Springfield steps into a new challenge, joining the NEWMAC — a fitting home for the program that, fittingly, also happens to be the birthplace of basketball.
The birthplace reigns
Sixth NCAA banner. Twelfth overall. A revenge tour completed, a title reclaimed, and a packed house in the city that gave the world volleyball. Nobody does it like the Pride.
Go Pride. 🔥 Fire up the champs and fuel their NIL on RallyFuel.
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