Eric Keppeler '85
Sports Writter
Winning a title was hard enough the first time, and the St. Joe’s volleyball team learned last season that defending one is even harder.
Veteran coach Mark Anzalone says the Marauders better buckle up and bear down because winning a third straight Monsignor Martin Athletic Association crown will be their toughest act yet – although he feels like his squad is up for the challenge.
“It’s got to be a total team effort,” Anzalone said. “We’re going to need every single guy to be playing at their best and they’re going to have to continue the work that they’ve been putting in. They’re going to have to fight and scrap and step up in the face of adversity like our other teams have in order to be successful.”
St. Joe’s graduated four key starters from the team that finished a perfect 24-0 last season and was ranked No. 1 in Western New York.
With no state playoffs for the Catholic schools, the Marauders saw their season end in the MMAA finals – a four-set win over arch-rival Canisius for the second straight year.
That was especially satisfying because prior to the last two seasons, Canisius had rattled off an unbelievable 23 straight titles since 2000. And the Crusaders figure to be a key obstacle once again this season.
Anzalone said his team wasn’t intimidated last year and they won’t be intimidated this year either.
“These guys don’t know about what happened 20 years ago or whatever, nor do they care,” Anzalone said. “They care about today, they care about right now and they want to be up there on the banner.”
Leading the way will be senior captains Luke Cloen (middle block) and Sean Taft (outside hitter). Cloen was a starter last year, while Taft saw plenty of action in the rotation.
Also returning is junior Chase Lipps, who started last year as an outside hitter, although he will run the offense this year as setter.
Sophomore middle block Brody Henzler saw significant time last season, and junior Adam Wargo gives the Marauders both skill and depth in the center of the court.
Anzalone says that’s key.
“I think we’ve had the best middle blocking in Western New York for the last two years,” Anzalone said. “They’re a big reason we went 32-5 in those two years. I think we have the best middle blocking again this year. It’s the middle of the court and they’re in on every play and I think it’s very important.”
Rounding out the rotation are seniors A.J. Porterfield and Ryan Mahoney and junior Tommy Barcomb as outside hitters; and senior Jack Norris at libero.
“The guys know what we lost and they know of the opportunity to step up and they really did a great job in the offseason,” Anzalone said. “They were aware and they really took it head-on and did the work. I’m super proud of the effort that they put in to get to this point right now.”