Stevens Edges Nazareth in Preseason Poll
ROCHESTER, NY – The United Volleyball Conference (UVC) was clearly one of the deepest and most-talented volleyball leagues in all of Division III in 2012, evidenced by six teams being ranked in the final AVCA poll of the season. And the UVC enters the 2013 season with expectations of that strength and depth to continue in full force.
A season ago, Nazareth outlasted Stevens Institute of Technology in five sets to claim the UVC championship for the second straight year. And New York University went a perfect 11-0 in its first season of UVC play against league opponents.
The UVC’s success was highlighted by those teams a year ago, but it certainly wasn't limited to just the teams at the top. As a whole, the UVC had five 20-win teams, with seven teams winning at least 19 matches and finishing above .600 overall.
Those facts, coupled with the excitement surround the returning stars and bright new faces have campuses across the conference eagerly anticipating the start of the season. As the action begins, another action-packed spring of UVC volleyball is sure to transpire.
Ducks top preseason prediction
Stevens opens the 2013 season as the favorite to claim the league title. The Ducks received eight of 12 first-place votes and 116 total points to headline the 2013 UVC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Stevens brings back all but one student-athletes from its 2012 roster, so its no surprise to see their name listed on the top of the poll. UVC coaches expect Nazareth to continue its success, tabbing the Golden Flyers to finish second with three first-place votes and 110 total points. The Violets came in third with 103 points.
Just 12 points separate Medaille (85 points), Vassar (84 points) and New Paltz (73 points) while Elmira comes in at No. 7 (62 points), as the coaches predict seven of the eight Playoff teams from a year ago will again make the postseason field.
The next duo of teams, which will probably challenge for the final playoff bid was separated by one point. D’Youville snuck out an eighth-place finish with 47 points, while Penn State-Behrend was ninth. Bard (28), Hilbert (25) and SUNYIT (13) rounded out of the final three spots in the preseason poll.
Calm on the coaching front
The UVC remains a stable group of head coaches with only one new face to the crowd, Elmira’s Stephen England. England, a 2006 graduate of Nazareth College and former player of Cal Wickens, has spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant coach with the women’s volleyball team at the University of Washington.
Stevens’ Patrick Dorywalski is starting his 27th season with the Ducks and joins NYU’s Jose Pina (19th) and D’Youville’s John Hutton (17th) as the UVC veteran coaches.
Wickens, a ninth year coach, is one of four who has been in his current role for at least five seasons. Joining Wickens is Medaille’s Keith Koch (9th), New Paltz’s Radu Petrus (8th) and Bard’s Mike Abalos (7th). Hilbert’s William Shultz begins his third season, while Penn State-Behrend’s Phil Pisano, SUNYIT’s Jake Bluhm and Vassar’s Robert Wolter are all entering their second second in their current position.
Who's back?
Stevens brings back two individual award-winners to headline all the returning talent in the league. Junior outside hitter Dave Evans, UVC Player-of-the-Year, was also a second team All-American after tallying 340 kills, 164 digs, 54 total blocks and 23 service aces in 104 sets played. Nationally, Evans ranked 23rd overall in kills per set at 3.27 and was 42nd in hitting percentage at .278. Reigning UVC Rookie of the Year, Ian Tyger, will look to build off a superb freshman campaign in which he registered 239 kills, 85 blocks and 71 digs in 107 sets played.
Matt Elgin, a second team All-American, and Christian La Du, UVC Defensive Specialist of the Year, both return for Vassar. Elgin averaged 3.2 kills and 1.2 blocks per set in conference action. He also led UVC hitters with a .411 hitting percentage. La Du averaged 2.95 digs per set (307 for the season) which ranked third in the nation.
Nazareth has nine returning players on the 2013 roster, including seniors Robert Kraft and EJ Wells-Spicer. Kraft, a middle blocker, delivered 250 kills (2.43 per set), 43 service aces and 73 blocks to go with a team-best .427 hitting percentage. Wells-Spicer accumulated 1,184 assists (9.87 per set) and 40 service aces. His stats also included 154 digs and 33 blocks.
NYU can expect major contributions from a pair of juniors: setter Connor Mortland and middle blocker Nick Capricco. Mortland enjoyed one of the finest seasons in all of Division III volleyball en route to being named an AVCA Division III Second Team All-American for a second straight year. A First Team All-UVC selection, Mortland led the Violets with 876 total assists, while his mark of 10.69 assists per set was tops in the UVC and third in all of Division III.
Capriccio also produced a fine sophomore season, earning Second Team All-UVC honors. He recorded 257 kills in 2012, the most of any returning player. In addition, he led the squad in both total blocks (84) and service aces (41).
All-conference first teamer Erin Kelly is back to write the final chapter in his career at Medialle. The middle blocker totaled 342 kills with a .411 hitting percentage to go with 97 blocks.
Michael Vellutato was named second-team all-conference in 2012 and returns to lead Elmira. Vellutao recorded a career-high of 1402 assists, averaging 9.67 per set, and totaled 197 digs and 81 blocks.
Circle these dates
The UVC Playoffs will be held on the campus of the highest seed based with the quarterfinals and semifinals slated for April 13 and the championship on April 14.
A closer look
The
team capsules, provided by each school’s head coach, contain more details and information about each team to provide fans with closer look at each UVC squad.
2013 United Volleyball Conference Preseason Coaches Poll
|
Stevens Institute of Technology (8 first place votes) |
116 points |
|
Nazareth College (3) |
110 |
|
New York University (1) |
103 |
|
Medaille |
85 |
|
Vassar |
84 |
|
New Paltz |
73 |
|
Elmira |
62 |
|
D'Youville |
47 |
|
Penn State-Behrend |
46 |
|
Bard |
28 |
|
Hilbert |
25 |
|
SUNY IT |
13 |