EMU proving worth against larger foes

When Eastern Mennonite's setter Shaun Hackman stretches his arms for a set, six holes gap wide open in the seams of his volleyball jersey.

The Royals have no sponsor to insure that their equipment remains in top condition. In the small Virginia school, these players are just glad to have jerseys.

Eastern Mennonite started its volleyball team in 1990 with a grant from the USVA. Its premiere year, the team could not compete with high-level schools like Penn State, which were in its division. Eight years later, the Division III Royals performed respectively against the Division I nationally ranked Nittany Lions.

"The first time we came (to Penn State) for a conference match," Eastern Mennonite coach Sandra Brownscombe said, "we didn't even rotate all the way around before the game was over. We were just in awe."

Last night, the Royals rotated numerous times, but still lost in three games. Winning isn't everything for this team, however. It is how the game is played that counts.

"I love the whole atmosphere here," middle blocker Jason Axford said. "I love to play against Penn State. It raises your level of play. Our stats are always pretty good when we come in here."

The more than 6000 capacity of Rec Hall crushes the small 1600 capacity of the Royals' gym. On average, the Eastern Mennonite Volleyball team attracts about 200 fans for a home match. Brownscombe said it is standing room only when the Lions travel to the Virginian school.

The Division III team has increased its roster and its following, but still lacks in one major aspect -- size. Penn State's total height towers 4-foot-3 inches above the small Royals. The Lions are an entire person taller than this opponent. But the Royals have a strong heart to make up for this grave disadvantage.

Cheers of "Hip, Hip Hooray" from the bench congratulate the starters when they side out. The sparse number of Eastern Mennonite fans holler from the stands when the Royals score. In the first two games, the Royals could only earn nine points. But they rallied in the fourth game to score 10, in what they considered a close match.

"We know it will take a fantastic effort to beat Penn State, but now we know we can play with them," Brownscombe said.

This year, the Royals have not yet beaten an EIVA opponent, but have defeated strong Division III teams, Vasser and Ramapo. The Royals also have consistently appeared in their division's top ten poll for the last three years. Penn State might crush Eastern Mennonite, but the Royals can also damage other teams.

"We're an eye opener for our fans," said Axford. "We bring a new element to the athletics at Eastern Mennonite."

While Penn State might look down upon the Royals' small program, the students at small Eastern Mennonite look up to their tenacious, nationally ranked men's volleyball team.