As he enters his third season at the helm of Eastern Mennonite’s men’s volleyball team, alumnus Dominick Porter is ready for his team to make the next step – qualifying for the Continental Volleyball Conference Tournament. The Royals have never made it to the four-team tourney. The CVC played their first season in 2012.
“We finally have what we need to get there,” Porter explained, “a setter and pin hitters that can effectively put away in the clutch.”
The men finished 14-10 overall in 2015, but 3-9 in the CVC to just miss the tournament.
Having seven returners, including five who saw consistent playing time, means Porter has a strong base of players back.
“It means we have guys that want it more than ever,” Porter added. “After not making the tournament, they know what it feels like to watch it all come down to who beats who during the season, rather than simply focusing on making the tournament field.”
The CVC slate of matches starts with road dates at Juniata and Thiel on Feb. 5 and 6, respectively. But preparations began with a tri-match over Jan. 15-16, in which the team was 1-2, winning against NAIA Bluefield and posting losses to D-II Alderson Broaddus and D-II Coker.
Junior outside hitter Scott Brigham (Montpelier, Va./Patrick Henry) was the team’s leading hitter last year with 221 kills, despite missing eight matches. His lofty average of 3.81 kills per set was even higher until he filled in as the setter for three matches.
Porter said that Brigham, one of the Royals’ three captains, is stronger this season after spending time in the gym. But his leadership will be just as important as his play.
“Being one of only two upperclassmen, Scott has and will be our on-the-court leader,” Porter said. “And we need him to be that to reach our goals this year. He has done a great job of communicating on-court responsibilities during a match and leads the unit on the court.”
The Royals return a large defensive presence, both in the back row and at the net. Libero Micah Buller (Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman) (2.41 digs per set) and Colton Frey Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) (1.44 digs per set) bring a load of poise to the back row, while middle Dan Lutz (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) (67 blocks, .356 attack percentage) quickly blossomed in his first season of organized volleyball.
“Micah and Colton will be very important for us this year,” explained Porter. “They have both showed an aggressive nature on the court, scrapping and getting to every ball. They will be our biggest asset on defense we look for them to take over on the court. Dan, with a year under his belt, will be our biggest threat at the net as he is truly developing into a blocking powerhouse.”
Buller and Lutz are also team captains. All three are from last year’s talented freshmen class, as is outside hitter Tim Callahan (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), who was second on the team with 191 kills (2.48 per set).
“Tim spent the summer getting into shape and it shows when he attacks the ball,” Porter noted. “As a result, there is a level of aggression when going after a set.”
Senior Joe Spriggs (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) and sophomore Ben Durren (Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) each played in at least 10 matches as middles in 2015 and will look to expand their roles this year.
Freshman setter Christian Taylor (Henrico, Va./Deep Run) headlines the new freshmen class, with Travis Abele (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis) and William Ragland (North Chesterfield, Va./Thomas Dale) leading the charge for court time as transfers. Hunter Taylor (Richmond, Va./Patrick Henry) (1.08 kills and 0.58 blocks per set in 2014) returns after a year away from EMU.
“William previously played for national power Carthage,” Porter said, “and we look to use him in multiple roles to reach our goals this year, as well as utilizing his leadership on the court.”
Freshmen Jared Jolly (Temple Terrace, Fla./C. Leon King), RJ Ocampo (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) and Lance Marshall (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis) will also be pushing for playing time.
Porter said that while he has more offensive weapons this season, the key will still be ball control.
“I need our liberos and setter to have a big statistical year. Everything else will molded around their output and success.”
As noted by the two D-II opponents over opening weekend, the Royals have beefed up their non-divisional matches, which have been mostly absent since the NCAA began sponsoring a D-III national tournament in 2012. Men’s volleyball is unique in comparison to most other collegiate sports, as the voters in the national poll actually do take into account how teams do outside of their divisional contests.
Along with Coker and Alderson Broaddus, Porter added matches against D-II teams King, Lees-McRae and Limestone. All three play in the Conference Carolinas, whose teams were common opponents for Eastern Mennonite half a decade ago.
Porter said those additions were intentional to increase the level of play of the men’s opponents.
“The guys are excited to play tougher competition,” he said, indicating that change would help the team accomplish their goals for the season. “Our immediate goal is to make our conference tournament. Secondary is to come into the conference tournament higher than the fourth seed.”
EMU’s coach said that with the increased offensive options and overall knowledge of his players, the Royals are ready to take that next step in 2016.
“One of our main strengths will be the number of players on our roster that have a high level of volleyball IQ,” explained Porter. “With our transfers and current balance, I think this year we will show we are a new team.”