The Eastern Nazarene College men’s volleyball team has recently kicked off their first year as an official sport.
In the spring of 2016, ENC’s athletic director, Brad Zarges, announced three new sports that would be offered to students: men’s and women’s track and field and men’s volleyball. Many male students were involved in a volleyball club on campus throughout the past few years, but now the sport will be recognized as an official varsity sport on ENC’s campus.
Men’s volleyball is a spring semester sport, but the team has been putting in hard work during their fall season.
The volleyball team will be competing in the NECC (New England Collegiate Conference) since the Commonwealth Coast Conference has yet to add men’s volleyball. Under the guidance of first-year coach Kaylee Hewitt, the team is looking to make some noise in the conference this year.
Junior Andrew Shaw said, “I think we definitely have a shot at playoffs this year. There is a lot of talent on the team, and if put to full potential, it could get us places.”
Shaw also mentioned that Coach Hewitt has been pushing the team especially hard to get them in shape, and one of the ultimate goals for this year’s team is to have a winning record. The new program certainly showed that their hard work paid off by recently sweeping Dean College in a scrimmage 3-0.
Although winning matches is of great importance, it is not the only goal this team has in mind. Vice President of Student Development Jeff Kirksey said, “Coach Hewitt demonstrates not only a strong skill set to build upon our volleyball programs but the vision and experience to equip student-athletes to live into their faith as they prepare to lead and serve in the world.”
Shaw expanded on this saying, “We are aiming to represent ENC as a group of strong Christian men. Showing that this new team stands for something greater than just the sport itself, but for the Christian example we can be on campus as well.”
The men’s volleyball season spans from January to April, and students should be prepared to represent the Lion’s Den by supporting one of the newest additions to the ENC sports family.