NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS - The UC Santa Cruz men's volleyball team went to take on Carthage College in the NCAA Tournament hosted by North Central College. In a spirited match, the Banana Slugs fell to the two-time defending National Champions.
 
During the first set, both teams were on each other's tail; they were never less than 1 point behind. They managed to keep it like that for most of the set until a kill by Mitch Geiger initiated the Firebirds' lead 11- 10. He also scored another point later, then his teammate Zach Bulthius made a kill 14-10. UC Santa Cruz took a quick timeout to discuss their game plan. However, the Firebirds took this to their advantage. They held the lead against Santa Cruz 19-13. The Slugs were determined to catch up. Kills by Leo Tuncer and Riley Norman brought the Slugs close the Firebirds' lead to 20-24. The Firebirds eventually had to take a timeout. However, the Firebirds did end up winning this set 25-21
The second set was a nail-biter for sure. The Firebirds started off strong, leading 6-2. The Slugs began trailing behind, but they slowly started scoring points. The Slugs eventually reached the Firebird lead of 20-20. This is where the anticipation grew as the Slugs were fighting for the win, but the Firebirds were not ready to let the match slip from their hands. A kill by Riley Norman initiated the following plays and tied the game at 21-21.  Bulthuis scored 2 kills, getting set point at 24-23. A score by Norman brought the Slugs to 25 points. The teams traded points. The Firebirds began shaking their feathers. A kill by Colton Jeffery and an attack error by Mitch Greir gave the Slugs the pep they needed. Jeffery took this win for the Slugs with another kill and a service ace.
The Firebirds were now on their toes. During the beginning of the third set, both teams were close to each other until the Firebirds advanced in their lead. Two kills from Carter Schmit and attack errors by UC Santa Cruz gave the Firebirds the lead 14-10. UC Santa Cruz was committed to staying right with the Firebirds. Kills by Dylan Foreman and Jeffrey brought them closer to the lead 15-14. As the Slugs kept on scoring points, so did Carthage. The Firebirds eventually reached a five-point charge against the Banana Slugs 20-15. Two kills by Geiger brought the Firebirds close at 22-18. But towards the end, the Firebirds won the third set 25-21.
 
            The Firebirds maintained a lead at the beginning of the fourth and final set, but the Slugs always worked their way up that scoreboard 7-7. Kills from Norman and Jeffrey kept the Banana Slugs close to the Firebirds 10-9. But the Firebirds wanted this win. They eventually gained a three-point lead, 16-13. A kill by Carter Schmidt and an attack error by Colby Hurdle gave the Firebirds an even wider lead of 16-19. The Firebirds slowly began reaching the 25-point mark with two back-to-back kills from David Markes 23-19. But finally, the Firebirds won this final set 25-20.
 Norman had a total of 15 kills to lead the Banana Slugs, and Jeffrey had 13 kills and all four of UC Santa Cruz aces.