BEVERLY, Mass. – The two teams that met in the NECC Championship match in 2012, Endicott and Elms, received an equal number of points atop the 2013 NECC Preseason Men's Volleyball Poll as it was announced today by Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations Robb Modica.
The poll, which is voted upon by the league's head coaches, saw both Endicott and Elms earn 44 points overall with the Gulls getting four out of a possible seven first place votes. The Blazers, champions of the NECC in 2012 after defeating Endicott 3-1 the title match, were awarded the other three first place votes.
Southern Vermont (35), Daniel Webster (30), Newbury (22), Lesley (11), and Regis (10) rounded out the rankings in the 2013 NECC Preseason Men's Volleyball Poll.
The 2013 men's volleyball season will be the first for new head coach George Chapell Jr. and he is looking to guide the program to its first NECC title after falling in the championship match in 2012. Endicott has had success in recent years as the team has finished with win totals of 17 or higher for five straight seasons. The success has made the team, and the coach, want more.
"The goal for our program is the same every year; to win a conference title," says Chapell. "Last season, we had a deep run in the conference that ended with a tough loss. The guys are coming in with fire and determination to not have the same result again this year. We brought in a talented class that has been pushing the upperclassmen from the very first fall-ball practice and I can see that continuing throughout the season. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get to where we want to be but I am confident that the leadership provided by the players will guide this team well."
The team has been to the ECAC tournament in the last two seasons and five of the last six seasons. In both 2011 and 2012, the Gulls advanced to the ECAC finals before bowing out. In 2011, Endicott was ranked as the top seed in the tournament after compiling a 23-13 record to that point. The Gulls beat #4 Wentworth 3-0 before falling to #2 Newbury 3-1 in the championship match to end their season with a 24-14 record. 2012 saw Endicott once again advance to the finals after being seeded #2 following a 16-14 record. Endicott took care of NECC rival Daniel Webster 3-0 before losing to the top seeded Ramapo 3-0.
Endicott ended their season with a 17-15 record overall while going 12-0 in regular season. The 17 wins marked the 11th straight year that the Gulls have finished with 10+ wins and Chapell has been an assistant coach for the last four of them. Over his tenure as an assistant, Endicott has an overall record of 91-50 (.645), with a conference record of 53-5 (.914).
For the upcoming 2013 season, Endicott will have to replace two key parts from the 2012 season as the Gulls graduated the NECC Player of the Year in Jeremy Siden, as well as fellow First Team NECC honoree Joshua Bruno. Senior Matt Devendorf and juniors Mike Coniglione, Travis Netherton and Carter Roche were all named as captains for the 2013 school year by their teammates. With their leadership, the Gulls will strive to attain their first NECC crown and the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
Devendorf, a 2012 All-NECC Honorable Mention opposite, was second on the team last year in kills with 171. He ended the season third on the team in blocks with 50. Junior Josh Anderson joins Devendorf on the right side and will look to make an impact and provide versatility to the offense. Carter Roche will look to continue to lead the team from his setting position as he has amassed 754 assists over the past two seasons while splitting time. Roche's calm demeanor will be crucial in leading a team that has a large influx of youth
Mike Coniglione, a junior middle, has proven to be a leader on the court and leads a talented group of middles on the roster. Coniglione finished with a hitting percentage over .320 last season in the middle. At outside, the Gulls will look to Netherton to lead the deep group. Originally an All-New England Division middle his freshman year, Netherton made the switch last season to hit from the pin. He is joined by senior Brennan Lowe as a returner that earned significant court time in 2012 and will look to do the same in 2013. The Gulls have depth at defense as well as there will be three returners vying for the role of starting libero. Junior Aaron Jessee, along sophomores Stewart Allendorph and Kristian Catalan, will provide great defense.
The incoming class of freshmen will look to challenge for court time right away with setter Tyler Bacon (Cypress, Highline VBC), outsides John Osborne (Christian Brothers Academy, Warren Sixpack), Dan Seaver (Milford, Milford Rippers), Chandler Tayek (Rolling Hills Estates, Highline VBC) and middle Alex Wasik (Milford, Milford Rippers) all look to compete for court time this season.
The 2013 season sees Endicott going up against a tough out of conference schedule. The Gulls will travel to Nashua, N.H. for the opening weekend as they will play in the Rivier Tournament. Endicott will play in three more tournaments as the team will play in the MIT Invitational and they will travel to Wisconsin for the Carthage/MSOE Invitational. Endicott will host the Endicott Invitational in March. With their tough out of conference schedule, the Gulls hope to achieve their goal of winning the NECC tournament and claiming their first ever automatic NCAA tourney bid.
