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Tons of teams enter a season with preseason hype, but then there are those teams that enter with little expectations and surprise everyone
Whether it was Harvard finishing last season ranked in the national coaches poll or UC Santa Barbara’s run to the 2011 NCAA championship match last season, each season always has men’s volleyball teams that surprise everyone.
Several teams last season that did not reach their conference tournament or finished outside of the national rankings could have a big season in 2013.
Below are the five teams that no one is talking about but could surprise some people this upcoming season.
THE FIVE SURPRISE TEAMS OF 2013
BALL STATE
It has been 11 long years for Ball State since it last reached the Final Four — the longest drought in program history. Ball State is still a dark horse to win the MIVA after being picked fifth in the conference preseason coaches poll. This team, though, should be an improvement from last season when the Cardinals failed to have a 15-win season for the first since 1999. Ball State after reaching the MIVA Tournament semifinals returns all of its starters from last season, including All-MIVA middle attackers Matt Leske and Kevin Owens. In addition, the Cardinals strength of schedule has them poised for a winning record. Ball State has one non-conference match against a team finished last season in the national rankings. If Ball State can get consistent offensive production from its outside attackers, this team should contend in the MIVA.
UC SANTA BARBARA
The drop last season for UC Santa Barbara was hard felt, but Gauchos could be set for yet another breakout season. UC Santa Barbara one year after going on an underdog run to reach the 2011 NCAA championship match finished last season in the bottom of the conference standings and didn’t qualify for the MPSF Tournament. The rebuilding process from last season could pay off this year as the Gauchos return a majority of starters and coach Rick McLaughlin signed several top high school recruits. In addition, senior Dylan Davis was one of two MPSF middle attackers to earn Preseason All-American honors. UC Santa Barbara was projected to finish in ninth place in the MPSF Preseason Coaches Poll. However, if the Gauchos can pull off a couple upsets this season don’t be surprised if they are back in the MPSF Tournament.
ST. FRANCIS
After coming up one-match short of reaching the EIVA Tournament last season, the Red Flashes could be primed to make a return to the postseason. Middle attacker Adam Roche highlights the returning starters for coach Mike Rumbaugh. Roche finished last season third in the nation in blocks per game average. In addition, St. Francis addressed one of their biggest concerns in the off-season by recruiting players to give it more size. The Red Flashes were picked to finish in fifth place in the EIVA Preseason Coaches Poll and should be in contention for a postseason spot throughout the season.
PFEIFFER
Only the most hardcore of men’s volleyball fans outside of southeast would know Pfeiffer was a college or had a team. Not only though does Pfeiffer have a team, but a good team returning a majority of its starters after winning the Conference Carolinas championship last season. Among the three all-conference starters returning for new head coach Greg Walker includes the reigning Conference Carolinas Player of the Year outside attacker Quentin Moore. The Falcons will be one of the early favorites to repeat as Conference Carolinas champions. However, the thing for volleyball fans to watch is the Falcons non-conference matches against EIVA and MIVA teams. Pfeiffer has a chance to win several of these matches, which would be signature victories for the emerging men’s volleyball conference. No Conference Carolinas team has ever received votes in the national coaches poll. This team has a chance this year to break that trend.
NJIT
The Highlanders last season were most remembered for radio host of “The Net Live” Kevin Barnett’s friendly joking remarks about if it was a real school. However, it’s not only a real school but a team that could make a run at a spot in the EIVA Tournament. NJIT has improved its record the last three years and ended last season 12-17 — the program’s first 12-win season in five years. In addition, coach Ryan McNeil emphasis on recruiting international players has resulted in the Highlanders having deeper and improved signing classes. With a bulk of its starters returning — including all-conference libero Brady Smith — the Highlanders have a chance to make their first postseason appearance in recent history.
Q.Moore is not at Pfeiffer he left for personal reasons
Sorry to hear that. He is a GREAT player.
I think U had better do a little more research. Mount Olive College in NC returns three starters off an offense that ranked nationally in hitting, blocking and serving a year ago. The Trojans have been the class of Conference Carolinas for the last three years, winning two regular-season and tournament championships; and finishing tournament runner-up to precious Pfeiffer in 2012. Mount Olive has matches against MIVA and EIVA teams on its schedule as well. Plus, it’s the ONLY team in Conference Carolinas to ever beat a Division I school either on its home court or on the road.
Rudy,
Thanks for the great breakdown. Mount Olive is definitely going to be a team to watch this season. I really like their new coach and are the preseason favorites to win the CC. This should be a great year to follow the Conference Carolinas.
Hold on, Rudy! Mount Olive is NOT the only Conference Carolina team to beat a DI team! Lees-McRae defeated Ball State when over half the team were freshmen, and also took the mighty Penn State to a five set match! The Penn State fans asked us to stay in NC!
GO Lees-McRae! Can’t wait for the season to begin!