Home Tournament Sunday

The Baldwin-Wallace College Men's Volleyball Club ends the pre-season Sunday as the B-W Men take on some USAV Adult and College Alumni teams from greater Cleveland. The 8th annual Winter Warm-up Tournament hosted in the Lou Higgins Center on B-W's campus is a great fundraiser, but also serves up great competition. The men leave campus for winter break after the tournament and will return to campus in mid-January to begin the regular season. Stay warm!

Pre-Season Volleyball Tournament

We began preparation for the MIVA Conference play and the NCVF Nationals at the annual pre-season tournament at Grove City College. After a slow start versus Gannon University (split matches), we beat a talented IUP team in the first game and lost a thriller in game two. The third game was a test against some talented GCC alumni and one of our former alumni, Kevin Moskal (1st team All National Tournament in 2009). After splitting the first two games and needing a third game to decide who will advance to the playoffs, the Yellow Jackets stormed to a 15-7 victory behind the excellent serving of freshman, Eric Potapenko. Next weekend the men will play a home tournament against some local USAV teams and our own alumni. Stay tuned as the Men's Volleyball Club prepares for the 2010 season.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everybody had a good Thanksgiving and enjoyed their time off from work and school! Our season begins this weekend with a pre-season tournament so this week of practice will be trying various lineups that will enable us to be successful as we prepare for the season. It will be a good test against some quality clubs and alumni teams and should give us a better idea of our talent level. We played our alumni and won two games and lost three, but showed a lot of promise for the season. Stay tuned for comments and photos from our tournament this weekend.

Alumni Scrimmage

Last night was a chance to play a competitive set of games versus the alumni (including me). Very eye opening and an opportunity to see where we need to improve as well as what we do well. When we practice and play hard, we are very difficult to beat given we have a tremendous amount of talent, but when we take points off and decide not to play to our potential, we cannot compete with our alumni. They beat us the first three games, but then we rebounded to win the final two games of the evening. Highlights include tough jump serves and somewhat scrappy defense that will get better as time goes on and we passed decent out of serve receive throughout the night. There is no doubt we miss our 1st and 2nd team All National Tournament Team selections, but we have talented guys to step in. Back to practice this evening to work and improve our skill level.

Brown and Gold Day on Campus

Today is brown and gold day on campus as the pep rally is this evening in the gym. The President, winter sport student-athletes, Athletic Director, cheerleaders and students will all be in attendance for an evening of dunk contests, shootouts and night of school spirit. In regards to volleyball, we continue to work hard on the fundamental aspects of volleyball in each practice which is permitting us to progress quickly as a team. We need to continue to work on serving and serve receive, but that all will come with time. Beautiful day on campus, not like being in Florida which is where i was for a week, but I will take this in November.

Schedule taking shape

The 2009-10 schedule is beginning to shape up. As we wait for the MIVA conference schedule to be announced we know the dates of some pre-season tournaments and regular season events. While I am recruiting and away from campus for work, the guys are following the practices I prepared for them prior to my departure and the alumni are stopping in to play each week. Check out the schedule for 2009-10.

Man Down

The first open gym of the season also turned into our first lost of the season. One of our most well-rounded players went down with a season ending leg injury. He is in good spirits and will be put on the IR for the year as well as assume the title of Asst. Coach. The best thing about this season is our depth at several of the positions so the team will continue to be successful and have a lot of fun while doing so. The guys all support each other and have been to visit the injured player. I am impressed how well each of them cared for their teammate and how well they came together during. First organized practice is Wednesday...time to break the bad habits and see what we got.

Practice schedule set for fall

The practice schedule is set for the fall semester and while we did not get an opportunity to play and get some video footage the other night due to the guys being involved in other activities, there will be some soon. The guys tell me how excited they are to begin the season which also gets me motivated to coach. I have been hitting the recruiting trail for B-W given my position as an Associate Director of Admission at the college, but that doesn't prevent me from identifying talented volleyball players. I am in Illinois this week (greater Chicago) and will be meeting somebody from Naperville this evening and hopefully others during my next trip October 19-21. Check back in the next week or so for video footage of practice (may not be pretty since it is the first one of the year, but we shall see). Have a great week and weekend, it is getting colder here in northern Ohio...Chicago too.

Open Gym Tonight

I will get my first look at the guys tonight during open gym. As I told a few of them, I better not come in there and dominate which will probably make them play hard! We have some great personalities on the team and a fun group of men who are excited for the season. In greater Chicago next week recruiting, but stay tuned for an open gym update with photos and possibly some video!

And so we begin...

The school year has begun and the guys are already starving for open gym times and practice. They have been playing a little without me there to coach, and hitting the sand courts on campus, but we will not start official practice for a month or so. On campus, the Center for Innovation and Growth is complete and the Science Center renovations under way...will be REALLY nice when it is all done. We are one of approximately 20 colleges in the entire country to get an entrepreneurship grant ($1.65 million) from the Kauffman Foundation to recognize the work done on campus by our students in entrepreneurship. Visit campus and see our growth and changes.

One down.

One week of class is over and the largest freshmen class in school history is enrolled. Met with our senior leadership last week and talked about my expectations of them, the team and fundraising for the upcoming season. We have some great guys this season which will make for a successful and exciting year! More to come.

School starts today, season well...

School begins today which means students are back on campus in full swing with one of the largest freshmen classes in history (will be the largest if they all stay). Season starts in a few months, but some of the new guys have already played doubles with the upperclassmen. Meeting with a few of the returning guys tomorrow to discuss the season, leadership, fundraising etc. It will set the tone for the year if these guys step into their leadership roles after losing four seniors. First day of class is always exciting, more to come...

2010 National Tournament

For those not familiar with collegiate club volleyball, NIRSA hosted its 25th National Club Championship Tournament last spring. Now, National Collegiate Volleyball Foundation (NCVF) has some excellent leadership and in conjunction with USA Volleyball will be hosting the 2010 Club Nationals in Louisville, KY. Baldwin-Wallace College will endorse NCVF and their National Championship and aim to compete in the first NCVF National Championship. We are confident the other top collegiate club volleyball teams will follow and compete in Louisville in 2010!

Summer is going, going...

Can you believe it is the end of July? Soon the guys will be back on campus wanting to start open gyms and get prepared for the 2009-10 season. The national tournament is set for Louisville, KY and we will have a talented core of players returning this season. Summer is almost over fellas which means time to hit the books.

Cleveland, Ohio

Say what you want about Cleveland, but my entire summer has been in greater Cleveland. Taste of Tremont last night had some amazing food (I am a picky eater too). Flag football team won the championship and is currently undefeated in the summer league near the zoo. Walked on the beach and watched the sunset tonight and heading to downtown Cleveland this weekend for the Shot in the Dark run sponsored by the Winking Lizard. Am I running? Funny! See all the new guys in a month on campus and looking forward to those seniors visiting from greater Cleveland, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Should be another exciting college volleyball season at Baldwin-Wallace College.

Summer Time = Vacation

Done with vacation for the summer after a trip with my wife and dogs to Hocking Hills State Park. Beautiful place and lots of rocks to look at, rivers to hike, and hills to climb. We hiked approximately six miles the first day and wore down our beloved collies so they wouldn't bark through the night and keep our neighbors in the Holiday Inn Express awake the entire night. Also finished my deck and fence at the house and now back to work preparing for the fall recruitment season.

Recruiting Trail

Saturday meant taking a break from building a fence and deck at the house to watch some volleyball at Ohio Nets. Spoke with some very talented players who can contribute to the success of the club in the future. The tournament had teams from greater Cleveland, Columbus and Pennsylvania. Hopefully, a few of the guys come to campus for a visit and consider being part of our winning tradition. Two other players have decided to enroll at B-W in the fall and will impact the team immediately. Have a great summer.

Summer has hit campus and the guys are working at their summer internships or enjoying the summer sun. We have a strong class of recruits coming to campus in the fall which will mean another strong season of men's volleyball at B-W. Last week I started to watch some juniors play in the state tournament and Zach, setter, watch some kids in PA. Enjoying my break from volleyball, but looking forward to next season too.

Graduation

Graduation is Sunday and best of luck to our four graduating seniors who have contributed so much the past few years. We will miss their senior leadership and energy and the dominant play of 1st All Tournament Team (Nationally), Kevin Moskal. Good luck men and stay in touch...I know three of you will be around the corner the next year!

All Tournament Teams

Kevin Moskal (above in the gray t-shirt) ended an amazing career as one of the best right side players in the country and earned a 1st All Tournament Team selection. He took over matches with a combination of blocking and hitting, but also played solid defense throughout the tournament. Moskal will be difficult to replace next season, but we have some excellent young players returning. Sophomore outside hitter, Jake Barone (above left), earned a spot on the 2nd All Tournament Team and freshman middle hitter Jehu Shamlin earned Honorable Mention. I can't say enough about our senior leadership of (from right to left below) Danny Savage, Phil Wentworth, Kevin Moskal and Matt Loczi, as they held the team together through team dinners (after the quietest 6 hour van ride in history) and pushing the guys in every practice. Jeff Thompson and Danny Savage also played major roles throughout the tournament as they were threats both offensively and defensively and helped the team to several victories this season. Kyle Szen had an awesome tournament for Libero as he was consistent with his passing and great on defense. He received numerous votes for All Tournament team. In his first year as a setter, I couldn't have asked for more from freshman setter, Zach Beatty, who directed our offense and played a great tournament. The entire team had an opportunity to play in the national tournament and experience what it takes to win and they kept everybody motivated and energized all tournament (Kevin Hutchings, Antoine Pastor, and Luke Lukens).

Yellow Jackets finish in the Top 5 again

The Yellow Jackets closed out their season at the NIRSA National Tournament in a tie for 5th place as they lost to the national runner-up Eastern Illinois University. It was a slow start for the men as they lost the first set 19-25, but they rebounded with a convincing 25-20 victory to send the match to a third game. We started slow in the third game, but got the score to 12-11 before going on to lose in 3 games. GREAT SEASON and GREAT GUYS! I look forward to another fun year in 2009-2010, but sad to lose a great group of senior leadership both on and off the court.

NIRSA National Championship Gold Bracket

The men defeated #3 Providence College (Canada) in easy fashion on Saturday morning by a score of 25-16, 25-16 sending them into the quarterfinals and guaranteeing them another Top 5 finish. It will not get easier, but the men have prepared all season for this tournament and have high expectations for the remainder of the Gold Bracket. The Yellow Jackets will face Eastern Illinois University in the quarters.

The Yellow Jackets finished Day 1 with a 3-0 record rolling into the second round of pool play undefeated. The men defeated Bethel University (MN) 25-20, 25-15 and Yale University 25-12, 25-16 en route to a first place finish in their pool and protecting their #9 seed in the National Championship. We are finding a groove and peaking at the appropriate time of year in a quest to win a national championship. The road ahead will not be easy and there are no guarantees for gold as the men will face a tough University of Wisconsin Lacrosse team and another opponent that will be determined through a challenge match Friday morning (Siena University or Darthmouth College). Below are some photos from the Thursday.

National Tournament 2009

The day started with some nerves, but as those went away the team that finished 3rd in 2008 returned. After a slow start versus Kutztown University (PA), the men defeated KU 15-7 in the third game and the entire team contributed to the victory. Below is a photo of the team warming up prior to their first match in Kansas City, MO for the NIRSA National Championships.

The road trip to MIVAs was quoted by a few as "The best trip ever." We watched movie after movie in the van to and from campus and battled some nasty snow in western Illinois on Sunday morning. The guys sang, some of it wasn't all that bad, but Antoine needs to stick with Studio Art and Kyle will make a career of it on Broadway someday. We had an awesome night at Olive Garden consuming more bread sticks than you could imagine and celebrating an early 21st birthday for Jeff, with his parents. We met mama Sham (Jehu Shamlin's mother) and she brought needed energy to the team on Saturday! Tolls in Illinois stink...every 3 miles is another! We didn't eat pizza in the van which satisfied a few and even got some subs from Jimmy Johns for the ride home...stopped at Wendy's too for some fries and a frosty. Click here for exclusive video footage.

MIVA Championships

On the way to the MIVA Championships at Northern Illinois University, we stopped in the city to check out the Navy Pier, Magnificant Mile and to stuff down some Chicago style pizza at Giordanos. By the photo you would expect 55 degrees, but it was only about 25 when we made the stop by Lake Michigan for the team shot. We played our best tournament of the year and finished 3-3, but two of the losses were to top 25 and former national champions at the Division I level (UW-Oshkosh and OSU) as well as a very talented Indiana University team that defeated UW-Oshkosh in pool play. We defeated Ball State University, Iowa State University, and Purdue University. This was an excellent timing as we take the final steps to prepare for nationals.

#8 B-W vs #3 Grove City College

Our fans traveled from campus and our families traveled to Grove City, PA to support the team...I think we may have even out numbered their fans! We had a potential future Yellow Jacket in attendance, friends, classmates, parents and others. The match started off excellent as we developed the attitude to win the match and took the first game 25-20 in the GCC arena. GCC rebounded to win game two 20-25 and won the third game 23-25 in a close game throughout. We had the lead late at 20-18, but could not hold on to secure the lead in the match. We fell behind quickly in the fourth game and never rebounded; losing the fourth game 25-22 and the match 3-1. Next up is another brutal weekend, but all in preparation for the national tournament as we head to Northern Illinois University for the MIVA Conference Championships.

Break time at the Cavs game!

No practice on Tuesday, but a great night at the Cavs game. The game went into the final minutes on a crazy night in downtown Cleveland, but the Cavs pulled out a victory vs. the Orlando Magic. It was a good night for a break as we head into the final month of the season and prepare for the NIRSA National Tournament and no better way to spend it than in downtown Cleveland watching the league leading Cleveland Cavs.

I found the team!

After some ups and downs this season, I have found the team that was so successful last season! The team that played with confidence, energy, excitement, consistency and fire. It took a little change in approach as a coach, but in our final match in the MIVA conference play we found the elements needed for success and stretched the match versus undefeated University of Dayton to the limits. While we lost the 3rd set 16-14, we played the best match of the year and have instilled some confidence in a talented team. We have a lot to work on prior to nationals in Kansas City, MO, but we have the talent and now the energy to be successful!

A weekend without JIMMY JOHNS!

We completed our first weekend without eating Jimmy Johns...quite an accomplishment for this team as they may be Jimmy Johned out! Believe it or not we found new options and they were tasty, but certainly not easy. On the way home most of us ate at Subway except for the smart few who decided they wanted Steak and Shake. We ordered, ate, talked, joked and drove down to Steak and Shake a 1/2 hour later only to find Jeh, Kyle and Phil still sitting at the counter waiting for their food...I think the text came through, "never Steak and Shake again." Fun weekend, I found our team that was so successful last year, the excitement, the energy, the ability. More to come!

Hoosier-Illini Classic

The weekend began quickly and moderately successful as we beat Ohio State in the first game, but eventually lost the match in a closely contested third game that was tied at 9-9. This is the largest and most competitive tournament of the season as teams travel from across the country to compete and the champion traditionally will go on to the NIRSA National Championship Division I finals. We played poorly against Marquette in our second match and beat Indiana B, but just couldn't find the momentum to make it a great weekend. We have the talent, height and skill level to be successful and we will be prepared for the national tournament in Kansas City, MO in April because of the tough schedule we play all year. After a night off from practice Monday, we will get back at it tonight.

MIVA

Our first two days in the MIVA league took their toll both coaching and playing. I am learing to manage a team with greater depth, talent, and experience as well as dealing with injury and illness. We finished the first rounds of MIVA 4-3 beating the teams we should beat and continuing to learn from teams who are just as talented as we are this season. We have a great team and it will be important to peak at the right time (nationals), but we do have a lot of work to do prior to the Hoosier-Illini Classic. We played some of the best defense I have seen from a B-W team since I played and honestly, this team is better defensively. We will work on some individual techniques in practice this week, setting, arm position (hitting), and defensive position to prepare us for the tough matches to come. The positive, we play more Division I teams than Division II and III which prepares us everyday for the NIRSA National Tournament in Kansas City, MO.

3rd Place...we are finding the rhythm.

We came out with energy and as a team with their eyes on a championship and while we fell just short of a championship, we continue to improve each day. We shuffled the line-up moving Jake to OH and starting Danny and Jeh in the middle. We were a little short handed as a few people had academic commitments and an illness, but we persevered and played hard which allowed everybody to get some valuable playing time. During pool play gave up more than 18 points only once and held our opponents to an average of 15 points in each game. In the first match of the Gold bracket the Yellow Jackets beat Eastern Michigan University 25-11, 25-21 which set the stage with another showdown with Ohio Northern University. A learning experience this match was as we never got a rhythm or found the necessary intensity level and lost 14-25, 17-25. We will face ONU a few more times this year and hope to get over the hump, but it is difficult to be disappointed when you finish the tournament 4-1 and in 3rd place. Next week at BGSU for MIVA Conference play.

Preparing for Michigan Classic

Tonight is the last practice before the Michigan Classic. Coming off one of our best practices this season, we should be in good shape headed to the school up north. Tweaking the line-ups a little to continue to work towards the goal of winning a National Championship, but we have a long way to go. We will be without a few players this weekend who have academic commitments, but should have a successful tournament.

GREAT START...disappointing finish

The men began the day on a high note defeating OSU II in 25-20, pulling away late in the match and getting victory. The second game vs OSU II was close as the men squeaked out a victory 28-26 to begin the day 1-0. In the next match vs BGSU, each member of the team got some quality playing time and experience for the future. In the first game, the yellow jackets won 25-15 and the second game 25-21 in a game where each member of the team contributed to the victory to push their record to 2-0. Up next was a tough opponent in The Ohio State University. The Buckeyes proved to be too much with an experienced team that has two former varsity players and several seniors on its roster. The yellow jackets lost 19-25, 14-25 to end pool play and wrap-up the #3 seed heading into the championship bracket (they lost a tie breaker to the University of Dayton who also finished 2-1). The yellow jackets would end up finishing the day vs the #6 seed University of Cincinnati in a deflating loss. After sitting for 3 hours before the match, we just did not have the intensity and energy to compete. We will have to rebound for next week at the Michigan Classic at the University of Michigan. I still have confidence this is one of the best clubs in the history of men's volleyball at B-W, we just have to find the winning attitude and chemistry to be successful. The future is bright for the club.

The season begins

After a long fall season of practice and preseason warm-up tournaments, the men are ready to begin. We travel to the All-Ohio Classic at Ohio Northern University to compete versus the best competition in the state and with high hopes of a championship. We have more depth at every position this season which will keep the men fresh throughout long tournaments, but we are still making an attempt to find a consistent line-up. Check back throughout the season for updates, results, news, photos and more.