Men's volleyball seeks title

Campus Times
December 6, 2002

by Amanda Stutevoss
Editor in Chief

After a disappointing loss in the final game of the Molten Men's Volleyball Championship tournament last year hosted by New York University, the University of La Verne men's volleyball team is preparing to vie for the title again.

Graduating four outstanding Leopard players last year, including the two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association player of the week and arguably the best division III volleyball player in the nation Nate Michael, it would seem that ULV would have some talent to replace.

But associate head coach Morgan Coberly says that talent is not what this young team is lacking.

"It is a loss of leadership," Coberly said. "I think that is a bigger loss than losing talent."

The talent on this team should turn heads this season. With five returning seniors and one transfer senior, experience will serve as the Leopards' backbone.

Senior middle-blocker Nate Silva is returning for a fourth year as a starter. Joining him in the middle will be senior Dave Engle.

Silva ended the season with a hitting percentage of .338 and averaged 1.31 kills per game. Engle finished with the highest hitting percentage on the team at .388 and averaged 2.10 kills per game.

"These two guys give us a lot of experience and provide leadership," Coberly said. "There will not be another team in the nation that will be as good as us in the middle."

Returning senior setter Scott Alley, who received all tournament honors in New York, will also contribute greatly to the team.

"Scott naturally brings leadership and focus to our team as well as a lot of skill," Silva said. "He is a really smart player and a very valuable asset."

A new addition to the ULV team is senior outside hitter Brad Evans. Evans, a transfer from William Woods College in Iowa, was a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic National Championship team last year and will be a big asset to the Leopard team.

"Brad gives us a lot of offense," Coberly said. "He is a good passer and a strong defensive player."

Senior Josh Miller, who got the most playing time at libero last year, is being looked at all around the court.

Coberly said that Miller's defensive skills and versatility will help anywhere on the court.

The Leopards are returning three sophomores from last year's runner-up team. Mark Mimms, a 6'5" outside hitter/libero serves as the team's motivator.

"Mark has shown a lot of passion for the game," Coberly said. "He is the motivator for the team; he is not afraid to yell."

Mimms' resounding voice will serve early this season to be his main contribution to ULV volleyball as he was diagnosed with a torn meniscus Wednesday night when the results of a previous MRI came in.

Coberly hopes that, if required, Mimms is able to get surgery as soon as possible and be back playing by the end of January.

Mimms is a staple in the Leopard defense as well as the offense as he is among the top three on the team in ball control and passing, Coberly said.

Sophomore Dwayne Wibeto is expected to contribute greatly. The 6'5" sophomore played behind Michael last year and has big shoes to fill.

"Dwayne has really improved from last year and is getting better every day," said Coberly. "He will really help us at opposite."

Elliot Naito, will also see some playing time this year. Naito, who Coberly said is the best athlete on the team, has improved greatly from last year. Coberly said that Naito saw limited playing time last year because he lacked ball control, which Naito is working to improve.

The Leopard team will also receive help from 6'5" freshman Matt Cornell. Cornell, who was the CIF City Section Player of the Year, will be an asset on the court.

"Matt is really versatile," Coberly said. "He brings a lot of athleticism to the court."

The men's volleyball team hopes to continue the winning tradition again this season.

After losing game five to Springfield College in the National Championship tournament by a score of 15-11, the Leopards know they have a title to reclaim. ULV won the championship in 1999.

A controversial decision in 2001 handed UC Santa Cruz the bid to the tournament rather than ULV, after the Leopards were ranked No. 1 in the AVCA polls all year.

Last year's loss was unexpected. Once again, the Leopards held the No. 1 ranking throughout the season but failed to execute in the final match of the tournament.

"We hadn't played in two weeks prior to the national tournament, and that hurt us as bad as anything," Coberly said.

"We do expect to get back [to the national championship] again, " Silva said. "This year we have to rely on hard work and focus rather than just pure talent."

Men's volleyball seeks title

by Amanda Stutevoss Editor in Chief

After a disappointing loss in the final game of the Molten Men's Volleyball Championship tournament last year hosted by New York University, the University of La Verne men's volleyball team is preparing to vie for the title again.

Graduating four outstanding Leopard players last year, including the two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association player of the week and arguably the best division III volleyball player in the nation Nate Michael, it would seem that ULV would have some talent to replace.

But associate head coach Morgan Coberly says that talent is not what this young team is lacking.

"It is a loss of leadership," Coberly said. "I think that is a bigger loss than losing talent."

The talent on this team should turn heads this season. With five returning seniors and one transfer senior, experience will serve as the Leopards' backbone.

Senior middle-blocker Nate Silva is returning for a fourth year as a starter. Joining him in the middle will be senior Dave Engle.

Silva ended the season with a hitting percentage of .338 and averaged 1.31 kills per game. Engle finished with the highest hitting percentage on the team at .388 and averaged 2.10 kills per game.

"These two guys give us a lot of experience and provide leadership," Coberly said. "There will not be another team in the nation that will be as good as us in the middle."

Returning senior setter Scott Alley, who received all tournament honors in New York, will also contribute greatly to the team.

"Scott naturally brings leadership and focus to our team as well as a lot of skill," Silva said. "He is a really smart player and a very valuable asset."

A new addition to the ULV team is senior outside hitter Brad Evans. Evans, a transfer from William Woods College in Iowa, was a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic National Championship team last year and will be a big asset to the Leopard team.

"Brad gives us a lot of offense," Coberly said. "He is a good passer and a strong defensive player."

Senior Josh Miller, who got the most playing time at libero last year, is being looked at all around the court.

Coberly said that Miller's defensive skills and versatility will help anywhere on the court.

The Leopards are returning three sophomores from last year's runner-up team. Mark Mimms, a 6'5" outside hitter/libero serves as the team's motivator.

"Mark has shown a lot of passion for the game," Coberly said. "He is the motivator for the team; he is not afraid to yell."

Mimms' resounding voice will serve early this season to be his main contribution to ULV volleyball as he was diagnosed with a torn meniscus Wednesday night when the results of a previous MRI came in.

Coberly hopes that, if required, Mimms is able to get surgery as soon as possible and be back playing by the end of January.

Mimms is a staple in the Leopard defense as well as the offense as he is among the top three on the team in ball control and passing, Coberly said.

Sophomore Dwayne Wibeto is expected to contribute greatly. The 6'5" sophomore played behind Michael last year and has big shoes to fill.

"Dwayne has really improved from last year and is getting better every day," said Coberly. "He will really help us at opposite."

Elliot Naito, will also see some playing time this year. Naito, who Coberly said is the best athlete on the team, has improved greatly from last year. Coberly said that Naito saw limited playing time last year because he lacked ball control, which Naito is working to improve.

The Leopard team will also receive help from 6'5" freshman Matt Cornell. Cornell, who was the CIF City Section Player of the Year, will be an asset on the court.

"Matt is really versatile," Coberly said. "He brings a lot of athleticism to the court."

The men's volleyball team hopes to continue the winning tradition again this season.

After losing game five to Springfield College in the National Championship tournament by a score of 15-11, the Leopards know they have a title to reclaim. ULV won the championship in 1999.

A controversial decision in 2001 handed UC Santa Cruz the bid to the tournament rather than ULV, after the Leopards were ranked No. 1 in the AVCA polls all year.

Last year's loss was unexpected. Once again, the Leopards held the No. 1 ranking throughout the season but failed to execute in the final match of the tournament.

"We hadn't played in two weeks prior to the national tournament, and that hurt us as bad as anything," Coberly said.

"We do expect to get back [to the national championship] again, " Silva said. "This year we have to rely on hard work and focus rather than just pure talent."

by Amanda Stutevoss
Editor in Chief