Leopards sweep rival Banana Slugs

by Nick Schober
Staff Writer

It does not take much to please any University of La Verne volleyball squad, just a Division III National Championship.

Following an impressive fall season of women's volleyball, which ended in a NCAA Division III championship, the ULV men are not to be outdone. The guys have already barreled through a myriad of Division I and other well-known schools on their way to accolades of their own.

When asked the goal of the team this year, senior captain Nate Michael said, "To win the national championship." Well on their way already, the Leopards have already conquered the top ranked NAIA school in the nation Cal Baptist as well as Princeton, University of the Pacific, and Long Beach State University.

One of the other hurdles on the ULV victory track also includes the league rival, University of California Santa Cruz. "Our teams do not get along well," Michael said.

The Leopards will be vying for West Coast representation against the Banana Slugs once again this year. The history of these two teams became even saltier when a bitter political decision kept La Verne, who was ranked No. 1 in the national polls, out of the tournament because of a loss to Santa Cruz.

In a statement, coach Coberly said, "It's very disappointing, but you can't just leave something that important up to a committee and not by winning all the matches we needed to."

"We really want to get revenge on Santa Cruz that cost us a trip to the national championship," says junior middle blocker Nate Silva.

There will be no such confusion this year. The Leo's beat Santa Cruz Saturday in three straight games on their home floor. This seals the decision that La Verne will represent the west coast in the Division III national tournament.

The ULV men will face another challenge this weekend as they take on Mercyhurst (Pa.) this Sunday at 7 pm in the SuperTents.

La Verne has garnered national attention and respect after last year's snubbing. In the first national coaches' poll the Leopard were ranked first, receiving 11 of the possible 16 first place votes. The Leopard have maintained the number one position in every poll this year, a streak of five consecutive weeks, matching last year's total.

In the most recent poll, released by the American Volleyball Coaches Association on February 19, the Leopards were the unanimous decision for the top spot, acquiring all 16 of the possible first place votes.

La Verne's closest competition is No. 2 New York University, who will challenge the Leopards when they travel here to play in the La Verne/Molten Men's Classic March 8-9.

The two will meet again on Tuesday, March 12. Over the past two seasons La Verne has beaten the Violets in all three meetings.

The Leopards are led by coach Jack Coberly and a strong core of upper class talent and leadership. Junior outside hitter Jake Swann is felt by some coaches to be atop the best Division III players in the country.

Returning senior Will Paulson also offers a strong presence in the outside hitter position and was second on the team in kills last year.

La Verne also inherits a promising incoming class including 6'5" freshman Mark Mimms and sophomore Eric Conley is fighting his way back from injury.

The Leopards have already built quite an impressive resume with a 2nd place finish in the division in 1998 and the program's first national championship in 1999.

The sting of the 2001 season has definitely not worn off for the Leopards yet, and it seems that the only cure is a Division III title.

The Leopards will take on Mercyhurst University Sunday, February 24, in the supertents.

Staff writer Nate Silva also contributed to this story.