2008 Woodie Awards
MVB seniors leave mark
Kendra Sloan
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Friday night, the men's volleyball team seniors left with a first, as it won the NEC cup in the last game of their SHU volleyball career.
At the end of three games, they won the NEC Championship cup for the first time in its existence, by beating Saint Francis PA. "The fabled NEC Cup was created in 2004 by former SHU coach Craig Boston, to be played for by the only two NEC teams in men's volleyball. Now that we have the cup back we intend to make sure that it stays here," said coach CJ Emanuelson.
After beating Saint Francis in the first game 30-23, they were ready to start the second game. "We went in as underdogs, but fed off of that to take the cup. Everyone brought their game and played at their highest potential and I couldn't have asked for a better way to go out," said Ivers.
The Pioneers knew the Red Flash was a challenge to beat. "We went out there with confidence - confidence in each other and confidence in ourselves," said Rosa. They finished off the match with a 30-27 score in the second and third games. Three of the upper classmen were attributed for 36 points throughout the match by kills.
Ivers contributed 13 kills, Rosa contributed 10 kills, and junior Chris Yantz tallied up 11 kills. "We hit over .400 as a team. When we've got that going for us, it lets John do his best work," said Rosa. Along with 13 kills, Ivers marked up 8 digs and Breen totaled 42 assists.
Each of the seniors recalled their past years as a Sacred Heart student-athlete. "When I transferred here it was a complete high as we took the conference title and played in the NCAA tournament in front of thousands at Penn State. After that, we had two rough rebuilding years, but this year definitely marks the successful beginning of a promising future for our program.
"I'm happy to have had the opportunity to come back to help the younger guys grow. With this feat, the younger guys now know what it's like to taste a great achievement in college volleyball. I hope that now the younger guys on the team will propel the program to bigger and brighter things," said Ivers. "As a senior there is nothing more that you can hope for than to play your final home game in front of everyone that has supported you throughout your career against the best competition that you have faced that season and come out with a win," said Breen.
"I always wanted to hoist a cool looking trophy. Everyone keeps saying, 'You must be sad that it's over. Are you kidding me? I had so much fun with these guys; sadness is the last feeling in my toes right now. When I think back on this season, I'm going to laugh remembering the good times," said Rosa.
At the conclusion of the match they were jumping for joy, carrying around the cup as if it was a baby. During the team dinner, the cup sat upon the table, it had become a member of the team and nothing could take it away from them.
The Pioneers finish their season with a 10-11 record, almost quadrupling their winning record from last season.
At the end of three games, they won the NEC Championship cup for the first time in its existence, by beating Saint Francis PA. "The fabled NEC Cup was created in 2004 by former SHU coach Craig Boston, to be played for by the only two NEC teams in men's volleyball. Now that we have the cup back we intend to make sure that it stays here," said coach CJ Emanuelson.
After beating Saint Francis in the first game 30-23, they were ready to start the second game. "We went in as underdogs, but fed off of that to take the cup. Everyone brought their game and played at their highest potential and I couldn't have asked for a better way to go out," said Ivers.
The Pioneers knew the Red Flash was a challenge to beat. "We went out there with confidence - confidence in each other and confidence in ourselves," said Rosa. They finished off the match with a 30-27 score in the second and third games. Three of the upper classmen were attributed for 36 points throughout the match by kills.
Ivers contributed 13 kills, Rosa contributed 10 kills, and junior Chris Yantz tallied up 11 kills. "We hit over .400 as a team. When we've got that going for us, it lets John do his best work," said Rosa. Along with 13 kills, Ivers marked up 8 digs and Breen totaled 42 assists.
Each of the seniors recalled their past years as a Sacred Heart student-athlete. "When I transferred here it was a complete high as we took the conference title and played in the NCAA tournament in front of thousands at Penn State. After that, we had two rough rebuilding years, but this year definitely marks the successful beginning of a promising future for our program.
"I'm happy to have had the opportunity to come back to help the younger guys grow. With this feat, the younger guys now know what it's like to taste a great achievement in college volleyball. I hope that now the younger guys on the team will propel the program to bigger and brighter things," said Ivers. "As a senior there is nothing more that you can hope for than to play your final home game in front of everyone that has supported you throughout your career against the best competition that you have faced that season and come out with a win," said Breen.
"I always wanted to hoist a cool looking trophy. Everyone keeps saying, 'You must be sad that it's over. Are you kidding me? I had so much fun with these guys; sadness is the last feeling in my toes right now. When I think back on this season, I'm going to laugh remembering the good times," said Rosa.
At the conclusion of the match they were jumping for joy, carrying around the cup as if it was a baby. During the team dinner, the cup sat upon the table, it had become a member of the team and nothing could take it away from them.
The Pioneers finish their season with a 10-11 record, almost quadrupling their winning record from last season.
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