SPARTANS FINISH FOURTH AT US OPEN IN ATLANTA

Men’s Volleyball
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Atlanta Tournament

SPARTANS FINISH FOURTH AT US OPEN IN ATLANTA

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Trinity Western University men’s volleyball team finished fourth at the US Open Men's National Championships in Atlanta, Geor. The Spartans-Fraser Valley Volleyball Club team won four matches during the Men’s Open portion of the tournament at the Georgia World Conference Center from May 24-31, 2008.

“This trip was a great experience for our team in a period of the year where it is hard to get good competition and training,” said TWU men’s volleyball head coach Ben Josephson. “The guys were all excited to come together in the off season to play again. And with the addition of the new guys to the trip we got a chance to start coming together as a team for next fall.”

Josephson, as well as assistant coach and former TWU All-Canadian middle Chris Meehan, played alongside past, present, and future Spartans. Right side Steve Rogalsky (Maple Ridge, B.C.), who graduated this spring as the Spartans all-time leader in kills and points, was reunited with returning players middle Josh Doornenbal (Edmonton), libero Andrew Hawkes (Grand Prairie, Alta.), left side Paul Lindemulder (Calgary), setter Chaim Schalk (Red Deer, Alta), left side Mikiah Schalk (Red Deer, Alta.), and right side Aaron Vandenbrink (Langley, B.C.). Joining the group of vets were three incoming TWU freshmen: Dan Jansen Van Doorn (Langley, B.C.), left side/libero Jarrod Offereins (Calgary), and libero John Wiebe (Abbotsford, B.C.).

The team played seven matches in three days, winning four. They lost the opening match to the TPC Beavers 3-0 at 8am on May 24th, as the boys arrived late the night before, and were playing on only three hours of sleep. Hours later Spartans-FVVC dropped a tough one 3-2 to the So Cal Riptides, a team comprised of former NCAA players, but bounced back with a win in the nightcap beating Milwaukee's Best 3-0, with Chaim Schalk and Rogalsky the top performers in the match.

May 25th began bright and early at 8am against Team Paul Mitchell, who were comprised of current US National team and professional players. A more rested Spartans-FVVC squad, who got a big game from Vandenbrink, defeated them 3-0. Needing a win in four games or less to qualify for the top playoff bracket, the Spartans-FVVC defeated UACH, a good defensive club from Mexico, 3-1, as Vandenbrink and Josh Doornenbal were excellent in the victory.

The next day Spartans-FVVC opened the double elimination playoff with a tough 3-2 loss to OCVC Smack, who were another very experienced team of NCAA players. Doornenbal and Meehan were strong in the middle, as was Hawkes at libero. The team rebounded that night with a 3-0 victory over Legion, playing what Josephson thought was their best match of the tournament.

In a rematch with Team Paul Mitchell the next morning, their tournament run ended with a 3-0 loss, as Mikiah Schalk was player of the match for the Spartans-FVVC. The team finished fourth out of 12 teams from Canada, the USA and Mexico.

“It was a ton of fun, I feel we got better as a team and I'm sure we all learned something about ourselves,” said Josephson afterwards. “Anytime those three ingredients are involved I would consider it a success. All in all it was a great tournament for us to get better as a team with some great matches in the off season. It’s an experience we will definitely do again.”

-TW-

Last Updated: 2008-06-04
Author: Jeff Kilpatrick
Email: Jeffrey.Kilpatrick@twu.ca