Penn College Men's Volleyball Coach Has High Expectations

Published 01.24.2011

News
Athletics

The Pennsylvania College of Technology men's volleyball team is coming off one of its best seasons and coach Wes Strayer looks for more good things to come this year. The Wildcats host club teams from Susquehanna and Villanova universities in a triangular match at noon Jan. 30.

Key returnees include Andy Epley (senior/Littlestown), Adam Smith (sophomore/Duncannon), Atlee Eshleman (junior/Conestoga), James Fortenberry (junior/Lemoyne), Ryan Haines (junior/Salunga), Phil Reist (senior/Washington Borough), Jared Palko (sophomore/Waymart) and Dylan Lackey (sophomore/Mountville).

Also on the squad are Brad Bell (senior/Harrisburg), Colin Grube (sophomore/Trucksville), Kiet Hervet (freshman/Berwick), Brad Kabosky (sophomore/Hunlock Creek), Kurt Linhart (junior/Zionsville), Mike Smith (sophomore/Pleasantville) and Matt Stoltz (senior/DuBois).

"It's looking good. "¦ This might be the best defensive team I've had," Strayer said.

A year ago, Penn College went 18-5 overall while placing third in the Middle Atlantic Club Volleyball Conference and 21st in the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Division I-AA Championships.

"I'm looking for a better season, I really am," Strayer continued. "My biggest thing is trying to get their heads back down to earth and not think that, just because we did it last year, it's going to be handed to us this year. They've got to work twice as hard because there is a big target on our back.

"They're moving better. They're getting quicker. Their blocks are better and the defense is better. "¦ Only time will tell," the eighth-year coach added.