SPRINGFIELD, Mass. --- The Carthage men’s volleyball team concluded the 2026 season on Saturday with a 3-0 loss to top-seeded Springfield in the NCAA Division III national championship match at Blake Arena in Springfield, Mass. The Pride won by set scores of 29-27, 25-21 and 25-16 to claim the national title.

Carthage, ranked No. 3 nationally, finished the season with a 25-4 overall record. Springfield closed the season at 25-3.

The Firebirds were competitive in the opening set, rallying from an early deficit to tie the score at 14 following a solo block from Ruben Emmerich. Carthage later moved in front 22-20 and reached set point on a kill by Ben Heise, but Springfield tied the score at 24 and eventually secured a 29-27 win.

Carthage again responded in the second set after Springfield built a three-point lead, pulling even at 15 on an ace from Emmerich. The Pride answered late in the set and took a 2-0 lead in the match with a 25-21 victory.

The Firebirds led 5-3 early in the third set behind Ryan Bartz’s play at the net, but Springfield used a run to take control. Carthage called two timeouts during the stretch before the Pride closed the match with a 25-16 win.

Bartz led Carthage with 16 kills in the final, while Ryan Morey finished with 28 assists. Devon O’Callaghan added six digs for the Firebirds.