Men’s volleyball had an exciting preseason last fall and an even better start to their spring season. With back-to-back sweeps against Long Island University and Springfield College, the Golden Eagles’ preparation and training will continue to shine on the court.

Gil Herold, graduate student and middle blocker said, “Our preseason tournaments showed the team and other teams our
potential for this year. We learned where we stand in our training and what we need to work on. With having so many new additions to the team, the preseason tournaments let us build chemistry before we get into season.”

This team chemistry was undeniable in the first two games as every player navigated the court like clockwork. Each athlete had each other’s backs on defense and encouraging support on offense. The intensity brought on the court was contagious to the stands, filling the CU Arena with an electric energy.

Liam Roberts, senior outside hitter, addressed how they plan to continue to improve by adopting an “aggressive mindset.” He said, “The goal of this mindset is to put more pressure on our opponent's passers to put them out of system more consistently, even if it means missing more serves high, hard and deep.”

This aggressive mindset helped the Golden Eagles pressure their competition to make more errors and average higher statistics than their opponents. In their total six matches, they have a combined 68 kills, nine aces and 14 blocks.

A transformation in mindset when tactically attacking opponents is one factor of the game and Makai Lipson, junior setter, addressed the other, which is the needed shift in team mindset. “In order to succeed, we need everyone to have the same mindset about what our end goal is and what we need to do to reach it. Maintaining focus is imminent to our success.”

The team experienced a change in the coaching staff as their former assistant coach, Chris Seiffert, was named interim head coach in November. Coach Seif joined the men's volleyball coaching staff as an assistant in 2022 and is currently in his third season with the Golden Eagles. For the past two years, he coached two of his current athletes, Max McCullough and Jacob Reilly, on the USA Under-21 National Team.

Reilly had good things to say about his experience with coach Seif. “He has such a great eye for the game, so being coached by him in the USA gym and at Concordia has really developed me as a player,” Reilly said. “I am able to bring the training that I got from USA with him back to Concordia, and he holds me to that training. We are so fortunate to have Seif as our coach; he leads our team super well, and I am excited to keep working with him.”

Lipson said, “With the change in leadership of our staff, rather than fragmenting, our team has made great strides in becoming more united. I think more than anything this coaching change has brought us more together and taught us that we need to rely on each other more.”

The sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among Concordia men’s volleyball has visibly set them apart so far this spring season. Roberts said, “I am going to do everything I can to be a good teammate and enjoy my last season as a Golden Eagle.”

“This being my last year, I am excited to get back on the court with my brothers and put on a show,” said Herold, “There is an indescribable energy playing in the CU Arena that is unmatched to anywhere I have played before. It’s exciting to be in the same gym as the best student section, The Flight Club. Our opponents for sure don’t feel the same.”

To support men’s volleyball and encourage another sweep, they will face Central State on Wed., Jan. 24, at 7 p.m. in the CU Arena. Bring your energy. Bring your friends.

Tags: Men's Athletics, sports

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