INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- No. 6 seed Belmont Abbey will face No. 3 seed UCLA in the quarterfinals of the NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship, the NCAA selection committee announced today. This marks the third overall appearance -- and second in as many years -- for the Crusaders, which earned the Conference Carolinas automatic bid.

The Crusaders and Bruins will open quarterfinal action at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 8 at Ohio State's Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio. UCLA is the two-time defending national champion, winning in both 2023 and 2024.

The Abbey defeated Mount Olive 3-0 in yesterday's conference title match, avenging a pair of 3-0 losses during the regular season. Zach Puentes was named tournament Most Vaulable Player, while Jospeh Morris was also on the all-tournament team.

UCLA is ranked No. 2 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. It stands 20-6 after falling to Pepperdine in the Mountain West Sports Federation semfinals on Friday. The teams have two common opponents -- Long Beach State (BAC 0-1, UCLA 0-2) and Grand Canyon (BAC 0-1, UCLA 1-1).

The winner of the match-up takes on the winner of a match between No. 2 seed Hawaii and the winner of the play-in game between Penn State and Daemon on Saturday, May 10. The championship will take place on Monday, May 12 with all of the action taking place at the Covelli Center.