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Men's Volleyball
2010 Season Preview
The rebuilding year of 2009 is in the rear view mirror. After finishing 9-15 and not qualifying for the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association Tournament, the Spartans reloaded with the aim returning to championship form. Three returning starters are joined by three returning letterwinners and the deepest incoming recruiting class in memory.
Looking ahead to his 14th season at the helm, Head Coach John Hutton is optimistic about the 2010 campaign, “The returnees from last season’s team gained valuable experience and our first-year players will have an immediate impact. This group showed flashes in the pre-season of what they are capable of doing. The challenge is going to be competing at the high level against everyone they face.”
Co-captains Jeremy Sajdak (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) and Brett Peters (Warsaw, NY/Pavilion) are the team’s most experienced returnees and look to continue doing what they have been doing since arriving at D’Youville, continue to improve. Enter their third-season together Sajdak will move back to a hitting position after spending a season as the team’s setter and Peters, always a strong blocker, will look to carry more of an offensive load. Sophomore Danny Gittens (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) had a great pre-season and is line to continue the program’s tradition of exceptional players at the libero postion.
Sophomores Rob Dykeman (Perrinville, NJ/Christian Brothers Academy) and Chris Gluc (Williamsville, NY/St. Joseph’s Collegiate) join junior Kyle Trimble (Erie, PA/Harbor Creek) as the team’s other returning players and each brings a different collection of skills to the team. Coach Hutton says of the three letterwinners, “Dykeman will contribute at all three hitter positions and is one of the team’s best passers. Gluc is a great defensive player and does all things needed to win that don’t show up in the box. Trimble is a great teammate and continues to improve every day.”
Hutton says freshman opposite hitter Chris Temple (Highwood, IL/Highland Park) “is the most dynamic first-year player we’ve had in years.” Temple is the program’s first-ever Chicago area player and has been to two USA Volleyball developmental camps. Setter JJ Senozetnik (Eden, NY/Eden), one of two All-Western New York high school players to join the Spartans, “brings tremendous energy and passion to our program,” states Hutton.
Outside hitter Chris Krueger (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg), another All-Western New York high school player to choose D’Youville, is a solid all-around player and will be called upon often his rookie season. At six-foot seven, middle blocker Todd Potter (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore East) will be a valuable front row asset for the Spartans. Junior college transfer Dennis McDonald (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore East/NCCC) has the versatility be an offensive threat from any position. Outside hitters Nick Vitello (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) and Jeremy Mosch (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) will provide offensive depth in the front row. All five continue to impress and will have opportunities to shine during the season.
The 2010 schedule features a ‘home’ match at Buffalo-Niagara Court Complex, the area’s premier volleyball facility, January 22nd against Division II Pfeiffer College. The Spartans also have a match on campus against NCAA New Jersey Institute of Technology March 13th. In addition to matches against scholarship programs, the Spartans will face a number nationally ranked NCAA Division III opponents.
“The 2010 season is going to be exciting and we looking forward to getting back into the mix of championship caliber programs in the highly competitive Western Division of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association ” says Head Coach John Hutton.
