MEN'S VOLLEYBALL HEADS INTO SECOND YEAR OF GNAC PLAY
The 2010 Mount Ida College men's volleyball team returns six upper classmen along with the addition of five newcomers looking to contend for their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship in their second year as a member of the conference as part of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA).
Head Coach Doug Porrell will look to his lone senior captain, Shane Wilson (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester), for leadership throughout the year on and off the court. In only his third season playing the sport, Wilson's skills have rapidly improved. While he was an outside hitter for the past two seasons, this year he will see a lot of time at libero. Coach Porrell expects Shane's enthusiasm, quickness, and ball control to anchor the Mustang's defense and passing. "Shane's ability as a volleyball player has steadily improved each year", said coach Porrell. "No one on the team has more heart and dedication to our program. Shane's enthusiasm is contagious, and he strides to improve both himself and the team every time he takes the court."
The return of junior Thomas Belton (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central/Western Mass.) has become a legit division III middle blocker, establishing himself throughout last season. He is ranked 17th in the nation in blocks per game and 15th in the nation in kills per game. In 2010, Thomas will be looking to put up similar numbers, as he will be used as a swing hitter in the Mustang's fast paced offense. "Not only is he an attacking threat in his own right, Thomas' size and strength demands attention from our opponents, which often helps free-up our other hitters, helping make our offense more effective. He is also one of the best blockers on the team, so our defense will be relying on his net presence to limit apposing hitter's options," said Porrell.
Sophomore McCoy Arnoux (Brockton, MA/Brockton) returns this year after a solid start to his collegiate career in 2009. Last season, he compiled the 3rd most kills in the Mustang's attack and lead the team in aces per game. The sophomore will be a big part of the Mustang's offense, as McCoy looks to improve on his 2009 showing. "McCoy is a natural quick hitter. His timing and refined arm swing allows him to hit multiple spots on the court. He can also really pop the ball, forcing blockers to respect his presence at the net," said Porrell.
Sophomore Franklin McCaffrey (East Greenwich, RI/East Greenwich/Rhode Island Blast) will be asked to fill many different roles this season. In 2009 he was primary used as an opposite hitter. This season, he will be asked to hit outside, set, and occasionally play libero. McCaffrey is a product of the Rhode Island Blast juniors' volleyball club, which is one of the strongest juniors program in New England. "Frank possesses a wide range of skills and volleyball knowledge. His versatility enables him to play virtually every position on the court, which is a tremendous asset to us. His teammates count on him to provide spark and energy. Frank is always active on the court and never gives up no matter what situation we find ourselves in," said Porrell.
Junior Hermes Lima (Boston, MA/West Roxbury) started his volleyball career in February of 2009, joining the Mustangs a third of the way into the season. The learning curve in volleyball can be a slow and steady climb; however, Hermes has progressed quickly. His speed, athleticism, and attitude are a vital part of the 2010 edition of the Mustangs. His improved digging and passing ability will translate into much more court time this year. "Hermes is the quickest player on our team; he is able to cover the court better than anyone else. Even though Hermes is a new player to the sport, he has made enough progress in his game that I expect to use him much more this season," said Porrell.
Junior Gangandeep Singh (Brighton, MA/John D. O'Bryant) joined the Mustangs in 2009 as a walk-on. Although "G" is new to the sport of volleyball, he has been an athlete throughout his life. His size, 6' 3" and athletic ability add to the depth of the Mustangs roster. His dedication, maturity, and demeanor are a big part of the program. "Since the day G. tried out for the team, he has epitomized exactly what steps a new player to this sport, or any team for that matter, needs to take in order to earn the respect of coaches and players alike," said Porrell. "G. is explosive and has very good lateral quickness. His blocking, in particular, has steadily improved. He pushes everyone on the team to work harder."
Freshman Spencer Hasting (Orlando, FL/Timber Creak/Orlando Gold) is standout opposite hitter who brings a plethora of volleyball ability to the table this season. Hastings comes from a hotbed of juniors' volleyball in Florida. He was a member of the Orland Gold USAV junior's team, and was an integral part of the 2009 Florida State Champion Timber Creak High School team. Hastings will be an immediate impact player for Mount Ida and will be used primarily as a swing hitter. "Since his arrival on campus, Spencer demonstrated right away that he has the skills, attitude, and dedication to earn significant court time his freshman year," said Porrell. "His experience with Orlando Gold, coupled with him helping lead his high school varsity team to the Florida State Championship, brings a background to the Mount Ida program that we, frankly, have never had before. He has size (6' 4"), a 35" vertical, and a live arm that will cause problems for opposing teams."
Freshman Eddie Pinero (Inwood, NY/Lawrence) should see a great deal of court time in his first collegiate season with the Mustangs. Eddie has extremely good overall skills and athleticism. At Lawrence, Pinero played many different positions including outside hitter, setter, and middle blocker. For the Mustangs, Pinero will begin the season directing the offense as the starting setter. "Eddie comes from a high school program that has produced some outstanding volleyball players, including 2009 2nd team All-American Mark Ribeiro (Springfield College). He has a great deal of athletic ability and volleyball knowledge," said Porrell. "We run a complicated offense, and Eddie is being asked to fill a difficult role, especially as a freshman. A challenge which, I am confident, that he will rise to the occasion and meet."
Freshman Ross Florexil (Lake Worth, FL/Lake Worth) is another member of the Mustangs' incoming class who should see significant playing time his first season as a collegiate student athlete. Florexil was a middle blocker at Lake Worth high school in Lake Worth Florida. Possessing tremendous jumping ability, Ross will be a factor at the net for the team in 2010. "Ross was a very good find for us. He has a vertical close to 40" and moves laterally very well. While he's undersized for a middle blocker (6'0") He can move from antenna to antenna more quickly than anyone on the squad, and is able to hit multiple spots and angles on the court," said Porrell. "Ross' leaping ability allows him to compete with larger middles. His calm demeanor and easy going attitude is also a tremendous plus for us."
Freshman Josh Horrigan (Grafton, MA/Blackstone Valley Regional) is a 6' 3"outside hitter from who will compete for court time this year as an outside or swing hitter for Mount Ida. Horrigan was the main offensive weapon for Blackstone in 2009, and adds size and experience to the Mustangs' roster. "Josh is a solid addition to our team. He has is a very good hitter and blocker. He needs to work on his ball control a little, but is progressing nicely and should see a decent amount of time on the court this season," said Porrell.
Sophomore Ryan Faer (Newton, MA/Cambridge-Weston), a member of the 2009 Mount Ida Soccer team, decided to try-out as a walk-on for the 2010 Volleyball team. Although he is brand new to the sport of volleyball, Faer has shown a strong desire and work ethic to learn the sport, and has improved rapidly. "Ryan has perhaps picked up this sport faster than anyone I have ever coached. He has already proved that he can step onto the court and hang with our best players. Ryan's passing and digging ability improves every day, and his teammates are impressed by his commitment to the program," said Porrell.
The Mount Ida College men's volleyball team was selected in finish fifth in the 2010 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) division of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) in 2010 heading into Head Coach Doug Porrell's fifth year at the helm of the program. Every coach from the seven teams in the GNAC division (Rivier College, Emmanuel College, Emerson College, Mount Ida College, Lasell College, Johnson & Wales University, Albertus Magnus College) voted on the preseason standings. The Mustangs received 21 points in the poll. Mount Ida was 8-18 last year and 4-8 GNAC.
Rivier College was selected as the unanimous preseason favorite to win the 2010 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Division in a vote of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) division's seven head coaches.
Rivier received all seven first-place votes and the maximum of 49 total points. The Raiders, ranked No. 1 in the NECVA Top 10 poll for much of the 2009 season, reeled off a 30-match winning streak before finishing the season 33-2 and 12-0 in the GNAC. Head Coach Craig Kolek's club returns five starters and 10 letterwinners.
Middle blocker Matt Ferreira, the GNAC Player of the Year last year and a First-Team All-NECVA Conference and Second-Team All-America pick returns, as does outside hitter Jared Andreozzi, himself a First-Team All-GNAC, Second-Team All-NECVA and Second-Team All-America choice. Also back is First-Team All-NECVA and First-Team All-GNAC setter Zach Hansen, and GNAC Defensive Player of the Year, Kyle O'Neill, who was First-Team All-GNAC and Second-Team All-NECVA at libero.
Emmanuel College is projected to finish second in the GNAC, finishing with 39 points. The Saints return all seven starters and 11 of 12 letterwinners from a team which was 19-14 overall and 9-3 in the GNAC. Coach Chris Wright's group back includes outside hitter Michael Townsend, a First-Team All-GNAC pick and one-time AVCA National Player of the Week, who ranks sixth nationally in aces and 12th in kills last year. Also returning are a pair of Second-Team All-GNAC recipients in middle hitter Keoni Rabaino and outside hitter Curtis Abram.
Lasell College is slated to finish third, receiving 36 points in the poll. The Lasers, coached by Jonah Mytro, were 20-10 last year and 9-3 in the league, and return four starters. GNAC Rookie of the Year, Brendan McGourn, who made a name for himself at setter, is among those to be back.
Johnson & Wales University was picked fourth, receiving 28 points. The Wildcats were 7-17 last year and 6-6 in the GNAC. Coach Scott Reslow has four starters back.
Emerson College was projected to place sixth. The Lions, coached by Craig Letourneau, received 16 points in the poll. In its first season of existence last year, Emerson was 4-14 and 2-10 in the GNAC, and returns all six of its starters and nine of 10 letterwinners.
Albertus Magnus College was voted seventh, with seven points. The Falcons were 2-15 and 0-12 GNAC in their first season of varsity competition. Coach Steven Wydra returns three starters from that club.
The top two teams in the division will receive automatic berths into the 16th annual and 2010 NECVA Championship tournament, which will be held from April 9-11.
