GVSU Men’s Club Volleyball

The GMMVC playdate 2 and Conference Championships were held March 7th and 8th at University of Dayton, OH.  GVSU opened up competition beating Western Michigan.  The second match was against DIV II #9 Baldwin-Wallace who features several talented players.  GVSU played with confidence and won in straight sets.  GVSU then played #HM ranked Ohio University who featured one of the top players in the GMMVC.  In a well fought match, GVSU won in straight sets. 

The GMMVC Championships were held on Day 2.  GVSU entered as the #4 seed, earning a first round bye.  GVSU faced #HM ranked Ohio University again in a quarter-finals rematch.  GVSU was winning game 1 but near the end, Ohio U rallied and stole the game 26-28.  GVSU played determined in game 2 and thumped Ohio U, 25-12.  GVSU beat Ohio U in a back and forth game 3, 15-13 to move on to the semi-finals.

GVSU played #13 Dayton, the host team in the semi-finals.  Playing with confidence and sticking to our game plan, GVSU beat #13 Dayton in straight sets, 25-16, 25-23. 

GVSU earned a spot in the GMMVC Conference Championship match against #17 Cincinnati.  We started off very slow and had a hard time establishing our defense.  The passing broke down as well and GVSU fell hard, 10-25, in a disappointing start to the Championships.  After a stern lecture, the team came out fired up in game 2.  We battled and had 2 serves for game point.  Brandyn Thorsen went for a jump serve to win the game but his serve fell just short and so did GVSU falling 27-29 in game 2. 

GVSU had a great showing at the GMMVC Championships, displaying the talent and ability, that we have worked hard to develop.  GVSU had several key wins against nationally ranked teams enroute to the Championship match, and pushed #17 Cincinnati to the edge in the Finals. 

Nice job GMMVC runner-up GVSU!

The first GMMVC conference playdate was held on 2-7 and 2-8 at Bowling Green University, OH.  GVSU played without 4 starters for this playdate due to other commitments.  Despite not having key personel, the team battled hard and showed determination, nearly pulling out matches against top competition.  GVSU beat host Bowling Green and then Kentucky.  The next match was vs. #17 Cincinnati.  GVSU won game 1, and was winning game 2 22-16 with several chances to close out the win.  Cincinnati battled back and won game 2, and then took out GVSU in game 3.  GVSU then beat Central Michigan to end day 1. 

GVSU opened up day 2 with #13 Dayton.  GVSU was winning both games 21-20 but could not finish against the tough Flyers.  Fatigue set in and not having all of our personel showed, as GVSU lost unexpectedly to Miami, OH in 3 games; and then again to Div II #5 Ohio Northern. 

Though we were disapointed about going 3-4 at our first conference playdate, several players stepped up in the abscence of others and gained valueable experience.  GVSU had chances to win all of the matches and the players were confident about going back to work in preparation for the GMMVC Championships.

On Wednesday, January 21, Olympic Gold Medalist Todd Rodgers came to Grand Rapids for the AVP HOT WINTER NIGHTS tour stop.     Rodgers, who is a friend of Head Coach Todd Allen,  graciously agreed to take time out of his schedule to  join the GVSU men’s and women’s teams for a Q and A session at the GVSU REC at the Allendale campus.  Rodgers talked about his Olympic experiences playing in Beijing and on the AVP tour, as well as his training techniques, game strategies and his journey through volleyball and life.  Afterwards Rodgers took team and individual photos and signed autographs.  A representative from the Lanthorn newspaper was there so please look for an article in the next issue.

Team members cheered on Rodgers at the AVP HOT WINTER NIGHTS event the next night at the VAN ANDEL ARENA in Grand Rapids.  GVSU would like to thank Todd Rodgers for this incredible experience.

LANTHORN article: http://www.lanthorn.com/38-Men-s-volleyball-olympian

Also on page B3 of the paper with a photo: http://digital.zoompubs.com/publication/?i=11760&page=1

2007-08

2007-2008 looked to be the strongest team in recent history with the addition of a new Head Coach (Todd Allen). GVSU began a new era in the program with a goal of making our team a dominant force in men’s volleyball. The program was built up to 21 players, fielding both an A team and a B team for the first time in the history of the program.

GVSU had its first ever win versus nationally ranked MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITYat the MSU Holiday Classic. GVSU beat MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY again in the championship game of the MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS held at MSU. This was GVSU’s first ever STATE OF MICHIGAN CHAMPION - TITLE. GVSU also had two notable victory’s over nationally ranked NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY.

The second win versus NOTRE DAME came in the championship game of the GVSU KING OF THE COURT CHALLENGE, the first ever tournament hosted by GVSU. GVSU also had two wins versus Division II nationally ranked BALDWIN-WALLACE.

GVSU also had it’s greatest victory in program history, beating eventual 2007-2008 NIRSA National Champions, LAKELAND COLLEGE, at the MIVA Championships held at OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. GVSU was knocked out of MIVA’s in a grueling 3 game come from behind win by NOTRE DAME.

At the NIRSA National Championships held in Dallas, Texas; GVSU had key wins versus CINCINNATI and NAVY and were knocked out of the tournament again by NOTRE DAME in a well played matched falling 15-13 in the 3rd game. GVSU held a national ranking of Honorable Mention for the entire regular season. GVSU finished Nationals in 25th place. This marked the highest finish ever in program history.

GVSU had four players receive ALL-STAR honors:

• BRANDYN THORSEN – GMMVC 2nd Team
• CHRIS KLIEWER – GMMVC Honorable Mention
• IGOR POPOVIC – GMMVC Honorable Mention
• JUSTIN HOBECK – GMMVC Honorable Mention

GVSU had notable finishes in several tournaments:

• MICHIGAN STATE HOLIDAY CLASSIC – 2ND PLACE
• GVSU KING OF THE COURT CHALLENGE – 1ST PLACE
• MICHIGAN COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS – 1ST PLACE
• GMMVC CONFERENCE FINALS – 3RD PLACE

2007-2008 was a great success for first year Head Coach Todd Allen and the many players on the team that put in their hardest year of work ever. GVSU also hosted 2 tournaments for the first time in program history.

2008-09

2008-2009 is an exciting year for GVSU Men’s Volleyball. All four ALL-STARS return along with a new transfer from WESTERN MICHIGAN: GMMVC 2nd Team player, Brandon Enright. Other key players include: libero Michael Lozier, middle blockers Jordan Timmerman and Stephen Hull, utility player Neil Sipress, and first year player Luke Lettinga.

If you are interested in joining the GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY Men’s Volleyball program, please contact Head Coach Todd Allen or one of the players.

GO LAKERS!