January 17, 2010
Saint Francis Season Outlook
Saint Francis Season Outlook
As he gets set to begin the 2011 men's volleyball season, Saint
Francis men's volleyball coach Michael Rumbaugh knows that he is
facing the definition of a “transition year.” When the
2010 edition stepped off the court for the last time, they did so
as four full-time starters and one pair that split time at another
starting position.
Consider further that among that group there were four All-EIVA
selections, including the program's top two leaders in kills, a
player with three consecutive seasons of 100-plus blocks, and a
middle with a career hitting percentage of .417.
Now you may understand why Rumbaugh knows that 2011 could be a
rollercoaster season.
“I think we'll be better than many expect,” said
Rumbaugh. “I think we have the talent to be able to beat the
best teams in the EIVA Tait on any given, but our youth and
inexperience could hinder us just as much.”
OUTSIDE HITTER
The outside hitter position is perhaps the position hit hardest by
graduation, as three seniors (Nick Rivett, Tyler Mattera, and Alex
Fortney) started every match at one of the two outside positions in
2010. In fact, Rivett was a mainstay in the Red Flash line-up for
years, earning three All-EIVA honors in his career and ranking
among SFU's all-time leaders in kills and digs. However, Rumbaugh
believes the game plan does not require drastic changes.
“Losing Nick means we lost ball control and all-around court
awareness, and we'll miss his passing and defense,” said
Rumbaugh. “But offensively, we haven't lost the ability to
run fast or go high. We'll have more youthful energy and enthusiasm
on the court.”
From a veteran standpoint, Rumbaugh returns fifth-year senior
Chad Martson (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall), who missed the
entire 2010 season due to injury.
“Chad is coming off a shoulder injury, and he's a year
removed from action,” said Rumbaugh. “When he gets back
up to speed, he'll be a big addition. He knows what I expect and
how I like the offense run. As a leader, he's helping the younger
guys do what they are supposed to do.”
Kyle Beatty (Meadville, PA/Saegertown) is another name
expected to make an impact in 2011; after using his redshirt in
2010, Beatty is ready for game action.
“Kyle knows that he needs to play a big role this year, and
he's mentally ready,” said Rumbaugh. “He's got a quick
jump and a high reach. With four full years of Kyle, I think he
will be able to reach a very high level of play.”
Also competing for time will be a trio of freshmen, each of whom
bring “different elements” to the table, according to
Rumbaugh.
“Logan Patterson (Derry, Pa./Derry Area) plays
very strong at the pins, while Lucas Schulze (Berlin,
Germany/Anne-Frank) and Lucas Behringer (Indianapolis,
Ind./Cathedral) bring very strong ball control and stability
to the outside,” said Rumbaugh.
OPPOSITE
At first glance, it would appear the hole at the opposite position
would be too big for the Red Flash to fill; graduated Jordan Varee
essentially rewrote the record books at Saint Francis, claiming the
all-time marks in kills and aces and earning a school-record four
All-EIVA distinctions. However, Rumbaugh feels that his new
combinations on the right side will enable him to add new wrinkles
to the game plan.
The resident upperclassman is Alex Kane (York, PA/West
York), a 6-9 junior that has been groomed to take over the
position.
“Kane has been biding his time, and he knows it's now time to
make that promise reality,” said Rumbaugh. “He adds a
much bigger blocking dimension because of his frame, much more than
we've ever had, I think.”
The challenger at the position is Colin Sherwin (Greensburg,
Pa./Greater Latrobe), a 6-3 freshman lefthander that Rumbaugh
says provides another interesting offensive dimension.
“Sherwin is a tremendous jumper, and his left-handedness is
something that's nice to have on the right side,” said
Rumbaugh. “It's not something I've had here in a while, so he
can give us a different look at times.”
MIDDLE
Rumbaugh lost a pair of multiple-year starters in Pete Freyer and
Patrick McManamon, but he feels that the returning trio of middles
will be able to compensate for the losses of the two mainstays.
“We lost a lot in Pete and Pat, no doubt,” said
Rumbaugh. “But I feel that the guys that came back are up to
the challenge.”
The three players expected to rotate there are senior Eric
Syty (Clarence, NY/Clarence), junior John Skarupa
(Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegehny), and sophomore Adam
Roche (Cochranton, PA/Cochranton). While not regular starters
in 2010, all three contributed significant playing time and are no
strangers to game action.
“Roche has been pounding the ball offensively, and he has the
look of being a big-time threat for us,” said Rumbaugh.
“Defensively, I'd have to say Syty and Skarupa are playing at
a high level. Their block is big and is always 'there,' so it's
real easy to play defense behind them.”
SETTER
One of two positions where the Red Flash do return a starter, the
setter spot will more than likely be handled by junior Ryan
Williams (Pittsburgh, PA/Montour). Williams' play at setter
in 2010 was spotty at first but improved as the season went on;
according to Rumbaugh, Williams was feeling the jitters typical of
a first-year starter on a team of veteran seniors.
“With the team we had last year, Ryan took on a lot of
pressure to be perfect, which took some of his game away,”
said Rumbaugh. “This year, he is much more confident and
relaxed, and he has a better feel for the flow of things. I think
it will pay off.”
Also getting work at the setter position will be sophomore
Caleb Brown (Hermosa Beach, CA/Loyola) and freshman
Michael Krepp (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny), both of
whom have “improved the competition,” according to
Rumbaugh.
“Those two are doing a nice job of pushing for the spot, and
it's keeping everyone's effort high,” said Rumbaugh.
LIBERO
Another spot where the starter returns from 2010, the libero
position features three talented players battling for playing time.
In 2010, John Wappler (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegehny)
posted SFU'ssecond-highest dig total in the rally-scoring era and
was an All-EIVA selection, but Rumbaugh says that his stable of
liberos “will keep it interesting.”
“Wappler was an All-EIVA pick, and just adds to the strong
play on the serve-receive,” said Rumbaugh. “But we have
Markus Schulze (Berlin, Germany/Anne Frank) coming back
from an injury last season, and he has played extremely well in the
offseason.”
Furthermore, Rumbaugh expects converted setter Nick Bancroft to
fight for playing time as well.
“Bancroft's defense is exceptional, and now he can
focus on digging the ball as opposed to worrying about the offense.
He can play to his strengths.”
