KENOSHA, WIS.—The Carthage College men's volleyball team, who recently jumped to #2 on the Week 3 American Volleyball Coaches Association Coaches' Poll, will host a trio of games this week that begins on Friday, February 8 at home against #9 Benedictine University at 7:00 p.m. The Red Men will follow with a home double-header against #15 UC Santa Cruz (11:00 a.m.) and North Park University (4:00 p.m.) on Saturday, February 8.
 
ABOUT BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY (5-1)
 
The Eagles' lone blemish on their schedule was a 3-2 five-set loss to Stevenson University on January 20. Among Benedictine's signature wins this season was a 3-2 season-opening thriller against New York University on January 19.
 
Leading the Benedictine offense is Elijah Medlock, who carries 3.87 kills per set, which ranks 14^th in the country. Medlock is also second on the team with 1.48 digs per set, while Jonathan Valentini carries a team-leading 2.56 digs per set.
 
Dan Buehring is in his fifth season as Benedictine head men's volleyball coach.
 
ABOUT #15 UC SANTA CRUZ (6-7)
 
The Banana Slugs find themselves in the AVCA Top 15 despite having a sub-.500 record. They will try and dodge a two-game losing skid in their doubleheader against North Central and Augustana on Friday.
 
Raymond Cascio paces UC Santa Cruz on both ends of the floor with a team-leading 121 kills and 51 blocks. Cascio's 1.1 blocks per set ranks 11^th among all NCAA Division III men's volleyball players. The Banana Slugs also rank 11^th with 2.20 team blocks per set.
 
Paul Leon is in his second season as UC Santa Cruz head men's volleyball coach.
 
ABOUT NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY (3-4)
 
The Vikings, in their first season of existence, have posted victories over Mount Union (3-2), Thomas More (3-1) and Trine (3-0). Angelo Johns paces the Vikings offense with 2.86 kills per set, while Moises Zavala has been feeding him with 7.7 assists per set. Leading the Vikings defense is Brayden Holmes' 2.19 digs per set, and Nathan Nguyen's 0.52 blocks per set.
 
The Vikings' roster consists of 10 freshmen, one junior and a graduate student.
 
Michael Sopocy is in his first season as North Park head men's volleyball coach.