Despite a poor showing at its latest tournament, club men’s volleyball has high expectations for this season’s upcoming postseason run at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Nationals Tournament in Dallas, Texas, starting April 1.
In 2009 the team won the Pacific Intercollegiate Volleyball Association league title (the conference is composed of Northwest neighbors, such as University of Washington, Seattle University and Gonzaga) and made an impressive run at the national tournament. Coming in ranked No. 42 in the field of over 100 teams, they played above expectations, finishing in the top 30.
This year, they expect to crack the top 20, in part due to the presence of Jason Bostwick, who this season began his tenure as the program’s first full-time head coach.
“His knowledge of the games, strategy and substitution patterns definitely have affected our team’s play,” sophomore setter Devin Curran said. “We had player-coaches in the past, but they couldn’t do for us what Jason can.”
The team looks to reach new heights despite a subpar performance at their latest competition in Davis, Calif., last weekend. They competed in the Far Westerns Tournament and were brilliant at moments but played inconsistently on the last day of the competition, finishing in the Bronze division and No. 20 out of 30 teams in the tournament.
Curran’s explanation for the squad’s recent speed bump? The team just needs time.
“We have four new starters this year,” he said.
The team was depleted at the middle position after one key player transferred and another was lost because of off-court issues after last season. But Curran said freshman outside hitter Logan Churm is ready to step up to the task.
“He has a lot of experience with the coaches, and we expect him to really emerge as a key player this season,” he said.
The team is lead by Curran, senior outside hitter Vick Elliott, and junior libero Jordan Nakamura. Elliott brings experience and leadership to the group while Nakamura energizes the team with his hustle and passionate approach to the game.
“His ability to really work is an asset to the team,” Curran said. “He sets the tone for the other guys in games and practice.”
The players also benefit from their tight relationship off the court, where the group is not only teammates, but roommates, fraternity brothers and best friends. Because of their closeness, the team feels like they can give 100 percent on the court while knowing what happens there, stays there.
“We really feel like we can trust every player on the court,” Curran said. “We take our play seriously, but know not to take anything we say to each other too personally.”
The squad looks to rebound in their next two competitions before nationals. They play in their first league tournament at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., this weekend and play in the league final in Spokane, Wash., at Gonzaga University.
“We feel like we can do well and come into nationals ready for a deep run,” Curran said.
With a new coach and a youthful and energized roster, it seems 2010 may be the year club men’s volleyball truly emerges as a contender for the national title.
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