This past Saturday, the men's volleyball team, this week's featured club sport, surprised even itself by winning the Eastern Nazarene Invitational. Of course, it wasn't surprising that no one took notice, as this team has gotten used to winning in virtual anonymity.
The volleyball team went to the Eastern Nazarene Invitational without high expectations, as its best player, graduate student Silus Everett, sat out with an injury. Those low expectations were proved incorrect, however, when the Jumbos saved a match point against the Eastern Nazarene club team in the semi-finals, allowing them the opportunity to knock off the Eastern Nazarene alumni team in the finals.
"We were really surprised to win this, but it's great," sophomore defensive specialist Matt Baron said. "Eastern Nazarene is our biggest rival, so that was really nice."
The men's volleyball team got used to disposing of its rivals last year, when it finished first in the New England Collegiate Volleyball League (NECVL), one of the most prestigious leagues in the country, and qualified for nationals.
The Jumbos did not stop their tear once they reached nationals either, whipping through foes across America on their way to a ninth place finish.
"Outside of the sailing team, I think we were one of the most successful teams at the school," Baron said. Don't expect this team to stop winning either; despite its lack of recognition, many on the team feel this year's squad is superior to last year's, even though it lost co-captain and league MVP Jon Tsilimos.
"He's at BC law school this year, so we'll play him," Baron said. "We definitely have that game circled on the calendar."
To fill the void, the Jumbos have six new players, including Fletcher student Everett, who played five years ago at Tufts.
"He's the best player on the team," Baron said of the new outside hitter. "He's an amazing hitter, he really pounds the ball."
The Jumbos have also added four freshmen to the team, most notably Jeff Van der Veer, who stepped in for Everett at the Eastern Nazarene Invitational. Van der Veer, a two-time all-state player in Rhode Island, impressed teammates in his first college game.
"He did a great job on Saturday," junior co-captain Adam Goldfarb said. "His passing was perfect, and he was destroying the other teams with the power of his kills."
Everett and Van der Veer both fit in well with the rest of the starting six. Junior Charlie Beckman is one of the top setters in the NECVL and was an all-star in the league last year.
"He's the best setter in the league in my opinion," Baron said. "Having someone like that is the equivalent to having a good point guard in basketball; like Magic Johnson, he makes everyone around him better."
Joining the front line is co-captain and league all-star weak side hitter Dave Chang. Goldfarb and senior Ben Feinberg are the middle hitters, with Baron closing out the starters.
"This team is better than last year," Goldfarb said. "I'm going to say it, I think we are winning Nationals this year."
This goal is not too far-fetched, as this team's raw talent should outweigh its youth and relative lack of experience.
"We're a young team, but many of the young guys are experienced," Goldfarb said, "plus, they've all picked up the plays really quickly."
The young Jumbos are forced to play in one of the premier leagues in the country, and because they compete on the club level, graduate students are allowed to play. Boston College, Boston University, MIT, and Northeastern are the other powers in the NECVL, but they have been playing for second place for a while.
Playing against tough competition, though, doesn't bother the Jumbos.
"Last year, we faced a number of Division II and Division III varsity teams," Baron said. "But we beat them pretty easily."
While the Jumbos have beaten varsity teams, it doesn't mean they are completely happy with their status as a club team, and the lack of recognition that comes with that status.
Goldfarb, who is on a committee with club sports representatives, TCU Senators, administrators, and athletic department representatives to find a permanent solution to the financial struggles of club sports, is disappointed with the lack of respect his team receives.
"We put in as much work as they do," the captain said. "The only difference is that we have to run the team, coach the team, provide transportation, and make a schedule."
Transportation for the volleyball team takes on a whole new meaning, as the team has its eyes set on Nationals in Reno this year. Traveling, uniforms, and new equipment are part of the budget that runs to about $4,000 for the regular season, but jumps to an eye-popping $10,000 bill if the team goes to Nationals.
The volleyball team received a $1,000 stipend from the NECVL and some money from the school to go to Nationals last year, and currently has a small surplus, which will be burnt up quickly. Despite the budget, the team has to work to support itself like every other team.
"We could always use more money," Baron said. "But we don't shell out too much individually. We work at the women's games, doing lines, books, and the scoreboard, and we sell T-shirts."
Despite being slightly more financially sound than some of the other club teams, it doesn't mean the volleyball team is happy taking a back seat to varsity squads.
"It's definitely frustrating," Goldfarb said. "I understand that they are varsity sports, but they get priority over everything, like money and gym time, and we represent the school, too."
Losing out in gym time is certainly unlucky for the team, as it holds practices from 9:30-11:30 p.m. It would take more than late nights to get these guys off the court.
"I love being involved with a competitive sport and with a team," Baron said. "You get the camaraderie, friendships, travel, and team spirit."
Of course, the Jumbos wouldn't mind if more people got into the sport as well. New rule changes - playing to 25 instead of 15 and scoring points on every serve - have been adopted to increase spectators.
"We are really intense, fun to watch, and its easy to get into," Baron said, trying to rally support for the sport. "Plus, it's easy to get into a winner."
Don't worry too much, though. This team will keep winning, as it has done in the past, without notice if it must.
