After shattering the school single-season victories mark last spring, enthusiasm is running high for the Mount Ida men’s volleyball program heading into the 2018 campaign, as Head Coach Craig Martin welcomes back a group of solid veteran performers and welcomes in talented newcomers for his seventh season at the helm.
Leadership has played a key role in the continued growth and development under Martin’s watch since his arrival in Newton in 2012, and the veteran mentor will look to juniors Nate Gyampo (Providence, R.I./Bishop Hendricken) and Brett Southworth (Orange, Conn./Amity Regional) to provide that invaluable example as Mount Ida’s co-captains this spring. Martin, who guided the Mustangs to 13 overall victories a year ago, says the duo “have helped build this program over their first two seasons of play, and their leadership has played a key role in our success. They have provided a consistent positive example both on and off the court, and I look forward to that continuing once again this season.”
Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2018 edition of Mustang men’s volleyball:
HITTERS. Southworth leads Mount Ida’s attack after recording 224 kills, 136 digs and 47 service aces last spring, while fellow junior Tyler Shinkle (West Deptford, N.J./West Deptford) returns in the middle after collecting 115 kills and 81 digs to go with a team-best 34 total blocks. Gyampo notched 112 kills, 27 service aces and 112 digs in playing on the opposite side for Martin, while sophomore Kevin Vanderhorst (Lawrence, Mass./Lawrence) bolsters the middle for the Mustangs after posting 62 kills, 39 digs and 16 total blocks during his rookie campaign of 2017. Sophomores Kevin Keohane (Jefferson, N.J./Jefferson Township) and Andre Foster (Davis, Calif./Davis Senior), along with freshmen Isaac Reed (Keene, N.H./Keene) and Tyler Dorfman (West Hartford, Conn./Conard), will be vying to make an impact during their inaugural seasons with the program.
SETTERS/DEFENSIVE SPECIALISTS. Freshman Andrew Olague (San Ramon, Calif./California) looks to take the setting role for Mount Ida during his first collegiate campaign this spring, while junior Ethan Souza (Acushnet, Mass./Fairhaven) and freshman Mason Leonard (Langdon, N.H./Fall Mountain Regional) will bolster Martin’s defensive corps as newcomers in 2018.
SCHEDULE. Another rugged 33-match regular season slate awaits the Mustangs this season, as Mount Ida will host 12 contests overall that include Great Northeast Athletic Conference dates with Regis, Wentworth, Emerson, Lasell, Emmanuel and Rivier. Martin’s squad will also face 14 true road tests (five in league action) and will play a total of four tri-matches during the spring.
The Mustangs begin the new year on Saturday, January 27th when Mount Ida hosts Eastern Nazarene and Sage in a non-league tri-match at the Athletic Center at 10:00 a.m. EST.