Men selected to compete in NY
Campus Times
April 12, 2002
The University of La Verne Men's Volleyball team was officially selected
by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and USA Volleyball in conjunction
with Molten U.S.A. Inc., as the Midwest/West representative for the Division
III Men's Volleyball National Championship in New York City, New York on
April 22-23 at the New York University's Jerome S. Coles Sports and Recreation
Center.
The Leopards will join New York University, who received an automatic
berth due to its host status, Springfield College, and the winner of the
EIVA Conference tournament to be held this weekend.
La Verne goes into the tournament as the number one ranked team, according
to the latest AVCA Division III Coaches Top 15 Poll. The team finished its
regular season with a 16-7 record.
The team dropped its final match of the season, losing 3-0 against UC
San Diego. It was the team's second straight loss after a 12-game winning
streak. Jake Swan lead the team's efforts with nine kills, and Nate Michael
contributed with seven kills.
The Leopards are undeafeted in Division III play. The teams suffered
its loses only against Division I powerhouses such as Cal State Northridge,
UC Santa Barbara, USC and Pepperdine.
Last year the Leopards were not selected to represent their region despite
efforts put forth throughout the 2000-2001 season.
A controversial decision by the AVCA denied the No. 1 ranked Leopards
a spot in the tournament.
The Leopards will take flight Friday, April 19.