Tigers, Raiders lead spiker rivals

By NICK ZULOVICH
Collegian Sports Writer

The Nittany Lion volleyball season is fast approaching. Coach Mark Pavlik's bunch starts its season Jan. 10 and will look to win its sixth straight Eastern Collegiate Volleyball Association title. Here's a rundown of the EIVA's Hay Division.

Princeton

The Tigers had one of their best seasons in recent memory last year, finishing with a 17-2 mark and making it to the EIVA tournament finals against Penn State. The Lions made quick work of Princeton, ending its season in three games.

Princeton coach Glenn Nelson said his club is a bit behind in its preseason practices. The Tigers did not start practicing as a unit after Thanksgiving.

"We're the guys who have just lifted weights and played doubles," Nelson admitted.

Even though practice time has been limited, Nelson has five starters returning and talented youngsters waiting in the wings.

"It's a pretty solid group of guys," Nelson said. "We've got guys pushing other guys for spots."

Senior Scott Birdwell led the team in kills last year with 378. Fellow veterans Jeff Cooper and Dan Eggers added 265 and 222 kills, respectively, for the Tigers.

Nelson said he hopes the club will have another chance against Penn State in EIVA competition.

Rutgers-Newark

Expectations are high for the Raiders. Coach Ron Larson said a new style of play is going to be the club's key to success.

"I think we're going to be a pretty physical team," he said. "We have to be better in the practice gym and to become more physical."

Rutgers-Newark finished just under the .500 mark last season with a 13-14 record. Back are the club's top three hitters: senior opposite hitter Steven George and junior middle hitters Brian Bowers and Ariel Rodriguez. All put away more than 300 kills last year.

Larson said he thinks the key returnee is going to be setter Estaban Rodriguez.

"He's a junior now," Larson said, "and he should be ready to play at the next level."

Never mind the next level, Larson better hope his team is ready to play come March. Of the Raiders' 12 matches during the month, they play just one at home.

In EIVA play last year, Rutgers-Newark compiled a 4-2 record and lost to Princeton in the league's postseason tournament. Larson said Penn State is still going to be the class of the league.

"We're not sure we have the answers to beat Penn State," he said.

LIU-Southhampton

LIU-Southhampton may be a school of less population than East Halls but the school sports one of the most versatile players in the country.

Michael Salak led the nation last season with 117 service aces. He also finished third in the nation in kills per game at 6.64.

But coach Scott Gleason hasn't had Salak around for the club's preseason. The senior outside hitter has been away from school this semester taking care of academics but will be with the club for the start of the season. Gleason said not having Salak around has made his club do many other things.

"It's given our guys more responsibility," he said. "We've had to move guys into different positions."

LIU-Southhampton won the Hay Division with a 5-1 record and finished 24-8 overall last season. Gleason said the team is looking to accomplish bigger and better things this year.

"We're looking to go somewhere we haven't been," he said. "The kids' focus is to be in the EIVA championships at Rutgers-Newark."

Springfield

The city where volleyball was invented is hoping the school will have another successful season.

Springfield College, in Massachusetts, finished last season 22-7, the key being the squad played as a team. Springfield was ranked second in the nation among Division III schools in team hitting percentage. Coach Sean Byron is hoping that trend will continue this season.

"We're looking to run a faster offense in the middle and on the outside," he said.

Inexperience will be one of the club's main weaknesses. Springfield graduated two All-EIVA selections from last season in Javier Placer and Rafael Rojo.

"We have a lot of guys that are new to the court," Byron said.

A mainstay in the Springfield schedule is the Hall of Fame Classic, which the school hosts Feb. 28 through March 1. Penn State once again will attend, and Byron said having a chance to play the Lions is one of the highlights of Springfield's season.

"Our kids get up for it," he said. "It's an exciting time for them because we get to compete against better athletes."

Bryon added it might not only be the players on the court that will help Springfield enjoy another successful campaign.

"I think we've strengthened our schedule," he said. "Throughout the season that's going to be important."

Vassar

Vassar will look to get itself back above the .500 mark this season. The club finished 11-12 last year and has a new coach at the helm.

Jonathan Penn begins his first season with the club and will rely on two seniors to carry the load for the club. Setter Stan Son finished third in the country among Division III schools in assists last year with over 14 per game. Outside hitter Brent Starks was a Division III All-American in 1995, and Penn said he looks for him to finish his career on a high note.

Penn also has a connection with the Lions. He wore the Blue and White for two seasons in 1984 and 1985.

He was a bit apprehensive on what to expect from his club, being new to the school and the league.

"I hate to predict our goals this early in the season," he said.

New York

Steady improvement is what coach José Piña is hoping for his club this season. The Violets played in three preseason tournaments, compiling a 5-7 record.

"We're doing OK so far," Piña said. "We're where I expected us to be at this point. We're trying to get our players to play as a team"

NYU is counting on a senior and two young freshmen to be the centerpieces of the club. Senior setter Keric Kenny will run the offense for 6-foot-5 middle blocker Brian Bauers and 6-foot-5 outside hitter Robert Schwarz. Piña said the two freshmen are a bit physically undersized, but he hopes they will learn quickly to play top-notch volleyball.

Harvard

Yes, Harvard is known for its academic excellence. On the volleyball court, well, maybe Nittany Notes might have some helpful hints.

The Crimson went winless (0-6) in EIVA play and finished last season with a dismal 5-15 mark. The club hopes to change that trend this season with long-time rivals LIU-Southhampton, Rutgers-Newark and Ivy League enemy Princeton highlighting its schedule.