2008 MEN'S VOLLEYBALL SEASON IN REVIEW
May 1, 2008
The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball Team went 7 and 4 in North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) play in 2008. The Saints finished just under .500 on the season with an overall record of 14-15. Emmanuel opened up early conference play with a huge 3-2 upset victory over 7th ranked and preseason NECVA favorite MIT. The Saints also posted conference wins over Johnson & Wales, Lesley, Southern Vermont, Lasell, Mount Ida, and Wentworth. Emmanuel went 2-2 at the prestigious MIT Invitational Tournament, after taking the title in 2006.
The Saints were led by two-time NECVA All-Conference pick, Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA). Townsend hit .247 this season, averaging 3.14 kills and 2.09 digs per game. The sophomore outside hitter was also ranked 6th nationally for his 0.62 service aces per game. Townsend was named to both, the MIT Invitational All-Tournament Team and the Great Northeast Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team. He was selected NECVA 2nd Team All-New England Division for the 2008 season.
Third-year Head Coach Chris Wright brought in a solid recruiting class, featuring eight top-notch rookies. Among the newcomers was freshman outside hitter Curtis Abram (San Luis Obispo, CA), who led the Saints with 3.55 kills per game. He was named the NECVA New England Rookie of the Week after his first full week of intercollegiate play. Abram hit .238 this season and averaged 0.41 service aces per game.
Emmanuel's returning playmaker was sophomore setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA). Lowe dished out 932 assists this season, 10.59 per game, which ranked him 17th nationally in the category. Lowe's performance in the classroom earned him NECVA All-Academic Team honors. He received some help at the setting position from freshman teammate Sean O'Connor (Hampstead, NH), who chipped in with 221 assists this season.
Several other rookies played solid minutes for Emmanuel this season. Freshmen middles Cameron Todd (Los Angeles, CA) and Keoni Rabaino (Tucson, AZ) started for the Saints and combined for 292 kills and 96 blocks. Freshman outside hitter Stephen Keeney (Snellville, GA) tallied 69 kills and 24 aces in his rookie season. Sophomore libero Gregg MacDonald (Wilbraham, MA) helped the Saints to a 2nd place finish at the inaugural GNAC Tournament. His efforts garnered him All-Tournament Team honors.
Coach Wright will lose three players to graduation this year, Brendan Ellis (Chelmsford, MA), Sophanna Lout (Allston, MA), and Russell Brodmerkle (Lancaster, MA). Ellis played two seasons with the Saints and is ranked 3rd among the program leaders for service aces in a career. He notched 218 kills, 84 digs, and 43 blocks this season. Lout has been a three-year starter for the Saints. He played in a team-high 93 games this season and accounted for 145 digs, 85 kills, and 31 blocks. Brodmerkle shared time at the libero position this year, collecting 58 digs in the back row.
Coach Wright will return 11 veterans to the squad next season. The Great Northeast Athletic Conference will sponsor men's volleyball 2009. Emmanuel will be a part of the seven-team GNAC division of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association. The other NECVA-GNAC Division members include: Rivier, Johnson & Wales, Lasell, Mount Ida, Albertus Magnus, and Emerson.