Penn College Finishes Fifth Out of 16 Teams in MAC Volleyball Tourney
Published 04.02.2013
News
Athletics
The Pennsylvania College of Technology Men’s Club Volleyball team had a respectable showing in the Middle Atlantic Conference tournament at DeSales University on Saturday.
Penn College had earned an invitation to the end-of-the-year conference tournament by finishing second in the Northeast Division during the regular season, and, on Saturday, started strong in its first pool-play match by winning over Millersville University, 2-1.
Penn College again came out on top in its next match, beating Rutgers University, 2-1, to face Drexel University in the finale of pool play. With both teams already earning a berth in the quarterfinals, the only thing left was to determine who would be first in the pool. Drexel would prevail in the match 2-0.
“I thought some of the guys came out a little flat in the first game against Drexel," coach Cody Goss said. "It was better in the second game, but not enough to win."
The loss to Drexel put the team at a 2-1 match record in pool play, and slated the Wildcats with a quarterfinal matchup against the defending conference champions from Messiah College. Penn College would fall to Messiah, 0-2, ending its day – and its championship aspirations.
The team will next be in action at the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation championships in Dallas from April 4-6.
“Messiah is always a tough matchup, and I certainly didn’t want to see them that early in the bracket," Goss added. "Hopefully, at nationals next week, we play a little stronger in pool play and set ourselves up better to get some momentum and get on a roll."
Senior Adam Smith, a building automation technology student from Duncannon, earned All-Tournament honors for his efforts on the day.
“Adam had a nice day as usual. He is a pretty unique athlete; there isn’t anything or anybody that he believes can stop him on the court,” the coach said. “I expect Adam to take this team's attitude to an even higher level in Dallas. He’s been there before as a freshman; it is really (an) opportunity that I hope isn’t taken lightly.”
Penn College had earned an invitation to the end-of-the-year conference tournament by finishing second in the Northeast Division during the regular season, and, on Saturday, started strong in its first pool-play match by winning over Millersville University, 2-1.
Penn College again came out on top in its next match, beating Rutgers University, 2-1, to face Drexel University in the finale of pool play. With both teams already earning a berth in the quarterfinals, the only thing left was to determine who would be first in the pool. Drexel would prevail in the match 2-0.
“I thought some of the guys came out a little flat in the first game against Drexel," coach Cody Goss said. "It was better in the second game, but not enough to win."
The loss to Drexel put the team at a 2-1 match record in pool play, and slated the Wildcats with a quarterfinal matchup against the defending conference champions from Messiah College. Penn College would fall to Messiah, 0-2, ending its day – and its championship aspirations.
The team will next be in action at the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation championships in Dallas from April 4-6.
“Messiah is always a tough matchup, and I certainly didn’t want to see them that early in the bracket," Goss added. "Hopefully, at nationals next week, we play a little stronger in pool play and set ourselves up better to get some momentum and get on a roll."
Senior Adam Smith, a building automation technology student from Duncannon, earned All-Tournament honors for his efforts on the day.
“Adam had a nice day as usual. He is a pretty unique athlete; there isn’t anything or anybody that he believes can stop him on the court,” the coach said. “I expect Adam to take this team's attitude to an even higher level in Dallas. He’s been there before as a freshman; it is really (an) opportunity that I hope isn’t taken lightly.”