Jan 20, 2008

Mustangs Return Home From Tough Start

Ramapo, NJ - The Men's Volleyball team traveled to Ramapo for a tough opening to their season. The Mustangs took on Newbury, Baruch, and host Ramapo. All three teams will appear in the NECVA tournament at the end of the year. The young Mustangs hoped to come home with at least one victory.

Returning players JR Jackson, Steve Grossnickle, Ben Leatherman, David Lloyd, Alex Ness and Ryan McDowell led the effort with the untested freshman getting their feet wet in a bees nest.

Freshman setter John Hall played almost every game in the 13 game tournament while transfer freshman Dan Phillips assumed the role of outside hitter opposite Jackson. Freshman Billy Despereau and Anthony Cammarata contributed in the back row on defense.

In their first match, the Mustangs bounced back from losing the first two games to Ramapo 30-25 and 30-19 by surprising them by taking the third game 31-29. It was too little too late unfortunately as VJC lost in the fourth game 30-20.

In the second match against Newbury, middle hitter Ryan McDowell reinjured his shoulder in the second game of the match, a huge blow to the Mustang offense and defense. David Lloyd filled in and performed well offensively. The Mustangs again took the third game but could not sustain their effort in the fourth, losing 3-1 with game scores of 21-30, 23-30, 30-26, and 30-21.

Baruch won their division last year and wanted to avenge their losses to VJC last year. Jackson and Ness combined for 32 kills in the match (20 and 12 respectively) but Baruch's strong middles were the difference in the game. The Mustangs started quickly and won the first game 30-25. Baruch then edged the Mustangs in the second 30-25 before the Mustangs regained the lead by winning 32-30 in a nail-biting third game. Baruch then took control and the five game thriller finished 3-2 in favor of Baruch.

The Mustangs start off with a disappointing 0-3 record. The next matches will be against New Jersey City and Brooklyn College at NJCU next Saturday. Brooklyn is another top qualifier in the NECVA each year.


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