Conference News

2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 NYU Season Outlook

After posting a 14-16 overall record and a 6-4 division mark, placing the team third in its first year back in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Hay Division, the New York University men's volleyball squad will look to make the leap back into the upper echelon of the EIVA, the Tait Division.

Although NYU bid farewell to three-time All-American and all-time rally-scoring kills and points leader Macnair Sillick, as well as blocks standard-bearer Brian Vilven, the Violets return a talented veteran core for the 2008 season.

"The upcoming season will be a transition to a more dynamic style of play for our team," NYU head coach Jose Pina said. "Our projected starting lineup looks as good as last year's, but with more potential for improvement throughout the season. It will be a somewhat young team in terms of experience, but our tri-captains bring a great deal of talent to the court."

Junior outside hitter and first-year captain Devin Zolnowski looks to take over right where Sillick left off last season as the offensive leader of the team. A two-year starter, Zolnowski was second on the team in both kills (330) and points (397.5) and recorded career highs in all major categories last season. After leading the team in reception attempts for the second straight year, he will also play a crucial role on the backline, where he was also second on the team in digs (156) in 2007.

Also instrumental to NYU's success in 2008 will be senior middle blocker and first-year captain Jonathan Wintermeyer. After a breakthrough junior year that led to him being named a 2007 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Second Team All-American, Wintermeyer will be depended upon to anchor both the offense and defense at the net. A three-year starter, he recorded career-highs in both kills (267) and blocks (111) last season.

Bolstering the backline for the Violets in 2008 will be the third tri-captain, senior David Tener. He emerged as one of the top liberos in Division III last year, smashing NYU rally-scoring records for most digs in a season (267) and in a single match (21). With 427 career digs, Tener is currently sixth on the all-time list and is on pace to crack the top-five.

"These three players are legitimate All-America candidates in 2008," Pina stated. "Wintermeyer is one of the top-three middle attackers in Division III and a force in the Hay Division. Tener has developed into what I believe to be the top libero in Division III and should garner consideration for the All-EIVA Team this year. And, Zolnowski is performs at a consistently high level. These student athletes should provide the backbone of what I believe will be the top team in the EIVA Hay Division in 2008."

Also returning to the fold will be senior Willy McFarland, juniors Ilan Goldstein, David Coll and Jordan Meisner, and sophomores Braden Fujikawa, Michael Ferragonio, Joshua Kravitz and Eric Chakeen.

McFarland is expected to earn one of the starting outside hitter spots. Goldstein and Fujikawa will battle it out for the starting setting position, setting up starting candidates including Meisner at middle blocker, opposites Coll and Chakeen, and outsides Ferragonio and Kravitz.

"This is Willy's last chance to show all how good a player he can be. If he stays fit and motivated, I expect a very strong season from him. He has been a winner his whole career and I expect him to come out on top with us this year."

The freshmen class is also expected to make an immediate impact this winter. Leading the charge will be 6-6 middle blocker Francis Hodgson, who is expected to step in and contribute immediately. Setter Ori Oren, outsides Stanley Gasiewiski and Roman Palylyk, and defensive specialist Jorge Torruella will also contend for court time.

The Violets begin the 2008 campaign by traveling to Buffalo, NY, to face top Division III opponents at the D'Youville College Nickel City Invitational. NYU will face a difficult conference schedule where they will take on some of the top competition on the country, including EIVA Hay Division rivals Springfield College and Rutgers University-Newark, the Violets' two top contenders for the Hay division crown.



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Conference News 2005-06 \| 2006-07 \| 2007-08 \| 2008-09 NYU Season Outlook After posting a 14-16 overall record and a 6-4 division mark, placing the team third in its first year back in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Hay Division, the New York University men's volleyball squad will look to make the leap back into the upper echelon of the EIVA, the Tait Division. Although NYU bid farewell to three-time All-American and all-time rally-scoring kills and points leader Macnair Sillick, as well as blocks standard-bearer Brian Vilven, the Violets return a talented veteran core for the 2008 season. "The upcoming season will be a transition to a more dynamic style of play for our team," NYU head coach Jose Pina said. "Our projected starting lineup looks as good as last year's, but with more potential for improvement throughout the season. It will be a somewhat young team in terms of experience, but our tri-captains bring a great deal of talent to the court." Junior outside hitter and first-year captain Devin Zolnowski looks to take over right where Sillick left off last season as the offensive leader of the team. A two-year starter, Zolnowski was second on the team in both kills (330) and points (397.5) and recorded career highs in all major categories last season. After leading the team in reception attempts for the second straight year, he will also play a crucial role on the backline, where he was also second on the team in digs (156) in 2007. Also instrumental to NYU's success in 2008 will be senior middle blocker and first-year captain Jonathan Wintermeyer. After a breakthrough junior year that led to him being named a 2007 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Second Team All-American, Wintermeyer will be depended upon to anchor both the offense and defense at the net. A three-year starter, he recorded career-highs in both kills (267) and blocks (111) last season. Bolstering the backline for the Violets in 2008 will be the third tri-captain, senior David Tener. He emerged as one of the top liberos in Division III last year, smashing NYU rally-scoring records for most digs in a season (267) and in a single match (21). With 427 career digs, Tener is currently sixth on the all-time list and is on pace to crack the top-five. "These three players are legitimate All-America candidates in 2008," Pina stated. "Wintermeyer is one of the top-three middle attackers in Division III and a force in the Hay Division. Tener has developed into what I believe to be the top libero in Division III and should garner consideration for the All-EIVA Team this year. And, Zolnowski is performs at a consistently high level. These student athletes should provide the backbone of what I believe will be the top team in the EIVA Hay Division in 2008." Also returning to the fold will be senior Willy McFarland, juniors Ilan Goldstein, David Coll and Jordan Meisner, and sophomores Braden Fujikawa, Michael Ferragonio, Joshua Kravitz and Eric Chakeen. McFarland is expected to earn one of the starting outside hitter spots. Goldstein and Fujikawa will battle it out for the starting setting position, setting up starting candidates including Meisner at middle blocker, opposites Coll and Chakeen, and outsides Ferragonio and Kravitz. "This is Willy's last chance to show all how good a player he can be. If he stays fit and motivated, I expect a very strong season from him. He has been a winner his whole career and I expect him to come out on top with us this year." The freshmen class is also expected to make an immediate impact this winter. Leading the charge will be 6-6 middle blocker Francis Hodgson, who is expected to step in and contribute immediately. Setter Ori Oren, outsides Stanley Gasiewiski and Roman Palylyk, and defensive specialist Jorge Torruella will also contend for court time. The Violets begin the 2008 campaign by traveling to Buffalo, NY, to face top Division III opponents at the D'Youville College Nickel City Invitational. NYU will face a difficult conference schedule where they will take on some of the top competition on the country, including EIVA Hay Division rivals Springfield College and Rutgers University-Newark, the Violets' two top contenders for the Hay division crown.