HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata men's volleyball team will have a different look in 2016. Nine players return from last year's 24-5 squad with just two starters coming back. The Eagles were a preseason #7 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association and selected second in the Continental Volleyball Conference preseason poll.
"We got a lot of guys with little experience," acknowledged head coach Pat Shawaryn. "With the nine guys who were here last year, a lot of them got playing time. We set up our schedule where we play the best teams in the country so we know where we stand later in the year and what we need to work on. We also have matches where we get the younger guys and inexperienced players playing time. When we have a rebuilding year like this year, it's not throwing someone out there who has never seen the court."
Returners
Two seniors will lead this year's Eagles. Chad Albert (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) was a second team AVCA All-American last season, hit .418, and had 77 total blocks. He was second among starters in hitting percentage and third in total blocks. Ryan Shelton (Baldwinsville, N.Y./C.W. Baker) saw his playing time increase last year as he saw action in 14 matches and averaged 8.28 assists per set in limited time.
"We will lean on them pretty hard," noted Shawaryn. "Chad is a two-time All-American. He is one of the best in the country with his speed. Ryan set a good bit for us last year. It's nothing new for him. Each day he is getting better. He is believing and gaining more confidence."
Kyle Seeley (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) put up 87 blocks, which led the Eagles in 2015, and totaled 152 kills. Also returning to the team after taking a year off is Brendan Smith (Fuquay-Varina, N.C/Fuquay-Varina). In 2014, Smith led the Eagles in digs with 164 and had a .952 receiving percentage, which was the best on the team with over 300 attempts.
"Kyle is one of the best in the country and people are going to see it this year," stated Shawaryn. "Getting Brendan back after a year away is huge. He has really stabilized the defense and our passing. Matt Vasinko (Loyalhanna, Pa./Derry Area) got some playing time last year in some good matches and we are going to lean on him a bit."
Newcomers
Five freshmen along with three upperclassmen are new additions to the Eagles for 2016. "Two or three will have a big role for us," stated Shawaryn. "One thing that everyone in the gym knows is when they are in there, they are only as good as their last practice. There is a lot of healthy competition constantly always happening. Quinn Peterson (Las Vegas, Nev./Shadow Ridge) and Leland Hacecky (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) have demonstrated they are capable of stepping into a starting role if it is offered. We have to make sure their confidence and ability shows up when we ask for it."
Schedule
Besides its conference slate, Juniata will face eight preseason ranked opponents this year. The Eagles will go up against #12 Elmira on Friday to open the 2016 season. The following week, it is #6 Carthage. #14 Stevenson comes to Huntingdon on February 12 followed by #4 Nazareth and #3 SUNY New Paltz. It will be the first meeting against the Hawks since the 2014 NCAA Semifinals, which Juniata won 3-1. Also on the docket are #13 Dominican (3/5), and #2 and defending National Champion Stevens (3/16).
"I want to know how we stack up," remarked Shawaryn. "When you play the best teams in the country, you learn what you struggle with and what you are good at. It makes your practice gym and your game planning that much better."
Shawaryn is optimistic on how 2016 will play out. "It's going to be a fun year. We will have our ups and downs. You never know how things go and hopefully things go our way."
