WAYNESBURG, PA (Jan. 19) – The 2010 Men’s Volleyball Team will open POVL conference play this Friday, January 22nd at West Virginia University at 6pm in the SRC Main Gymnasium. This match will be the first of two clashes with the mountaineers this season and the first South Division match up for both teams this season.
The Jackets will look to build on one of the most productive pre-seasons in recent history. Junior setter, Jake Buss will again command the attack and will be surrounded by three major returning starters. Junior outside hitter, Jake Reynolds will begin his third year at starting outside hitter. After a stellar freshman campaign, sophomore middle Joel Wingard will again man the net for the Jackets. Junior, Jesse Famularo will return to the floor as a second year starter providing much needed stability at right side. Freshman middle, Nikolai Wojciechowski will most likely make his collegiate debut playing opposite of Wingard while sophomore outside hitter Keith Gregorich will step off the bench at outside hitter. A number of Jackets will be expected to fill in the cracks defensively with senior Luke Navickas wining the start at libero. Senior Tim Jackson and sophomore Clayton Reiber will also be expected to contribute in soft rotations.
The Yellow Jackets will boast large improvements to their serve receive as well as their defensive scheme. “We made some adjustments based off of where we lost points consistently last season. It looks good in practice and I am hopeful it translates into points during our match with WVU.” Commented Head Coach, James Patterson. The Jackets will also be implementing a new call scheme for attacks in order to utilize their hitters’ talents “Our assistant coach [Molly Klink] came to me with this scheme and I liked it. It utilizes a wholly different set of numbers and letters opening up new areas across the net to run plays and attacks. Instead of three plays with a few options for each hitter, there are now close to six plays with a multitude of options for our setter.” Explained Patterson.
You can follow the Jackets progress throughout the season right here at the official home of Yellow Jackets Men’s Club Volleyball. For further information please feel free to contact Head Coach, James Patterson at jpatters@waynesburg.edu or by phone at 724-852-3346.