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.