Last month, PSU had an exhibition match with the DC Dynasty VLA team which featured, a number of alums in the team. Both PSU and DC Dynasty split into two teams to have 2 simultaneous matches happening. I only watched the “A Team” during the morning and afternoon session. Here are my thoughts (I am only a big fan not a volleyball analyst 😅)
LiberoRyan Merk is most definitely going to take the Libero spot this season. He had a spectacular R/Freshman season and was the top passer in the country according to Volleydork. I actually don’t know if we have any backup liberos aside from one of the outside hitters we have on the team. But I suspect that PSU will once again be one of the best passing teams in the nation and Merk will be at the helm of that.
Middle BlockerWe return the duo of Owen Rose and Toby Ezeonu from last year.
Owen is one of the best blockers last year (and the best in the EIVA); not bad for his R/Freshman season. Connections with the setters looked a little shaky during the exhibition but that’s expected when you lose your 1st team AA setter. His blocking is still fantastic! His serve is a little up and down but is lethal when hot.
Toby was 2nd in the nation in hitting percentage last year and was a 1st team AA last year. Toby changed his serve from a float to a topspin (sometimes hybrid) at latter stages of last year. It seems like this has been change for the better. Toby will get his kills, even if the connection is not perfect. I expect another AA season from Toby.
We also have two freshmen on the team in this position, Zach Stowe and Nate Egerstrom. Didn’t get to see them play, but these guys look physical. At 6’ 7” and 6’ 8”, we have height in this position.
Opposite This year the two main contenders to start are: John Kerr and Matt Luoma.
John Kerr is back for his 5th year after a great start of the year while Cal Fisher was recovering from injury. He didn’t play during the exhibition but I suspect him to do the same as he did last year, hit from a high point and provide a very solid block.
Matt Luoma did not wear a jersey last year. He was one of the guys that were dressed somewhat formally which I assume means a redshirt? - not sure. But this kid can hit the bajeebus outta the ball. I personally think he’s a better hitter than John but John provides a better block.
Other folks in this position would be Matt Cosgrove (at least based on the rosters during the exhibition) and Cole Ignaszak.
Outside Hitter Aside from Brett Wildman, we return all the OH that saw the most action last year. In my opinion, we will have 3 main OHs: Kowal, Valenzi and Kuhns.
Last year was Michal’s, breakout year at PSU. He was the team’s 2nd best scorer while hitting 0.312. He provides a good balance of offense, passing and net defense. I think he will definitely take one of the OH positions. He’s also very crafty, as Rob St. Claire said, “He plays like he’s from Poland.”
Michael Valenzi and Will Kuhns will most likely occupy that second OH position. Valenzi offers a lot of stability both in passing and serving. Kuhns offers a bit more physicality with a harder hit and a bigger block. This will be close but with the middles being a crucial part of the PSU offense, I expect Valenzi to start.
This is also the position with the most personnel. We have some good arms in Cosgrove, Jones, Dittman, Day, and Harvey. One of the R-So. will most likely function as the backup libero for Merk
Setter With Cole Bogner graduating, the setter spot will go to either Luke Snyder, or Mike Schwob. Unfortunately Josh Rosenblum got injured this semester and I heard it was a knee ligament issue. So, I don’t expect him to play.
Based solely on the exhibition. I think Snyder starts. He has a better connection with the hitter and provides a steadier ball. Schwob was good at the exhibition but the connections wasn’t as strong. He provides another dynamic though, being a lefty. He has a better serve and can attack. Alas, a 6-2 can’t happen with Men’s rules.
Ultimately, I’m excited to see what the guys can do this season. There were massive losses in Bogner, Fisher, Wildman and Marsh. But I expect them to have a strong season still. I definitely expect them to still win the EIVA this year. 😁
