The Endicott men's volleyball team has bullied its way into the NCAA Division 3 tournament in each of the past five seasons. Unfortunately, four of those five trips have resulted in an opening round exit (the other being a second-round defeat in 2014).Â
But with a talented and eagerly dedicated lineup in place this season, it appears the Gulls are poised to break that streak.Â
Through 21 games thus far Endicott sits at an impressive 18-3 overall. The Beverly-based program was ranked No. 14 in the country in last week's national poll, and gave perennial powerhouse and top ranked Springfield a run for its money in a recent 3-1 defeat.
Just four regular season matches remain before New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) playoffs begin, and head coach George Chapell believes his team is in a great position heading down the stretch.Â
"We've won our conference five years in a row and are hoping to to make it six. So we've got experience in the dance and winning in front of a home crowd," said Chapell, who's team is currently unbeaten in league play at 9-0 and has handed second place Elms (7-2) both of its conference losses, the latter of which secured them home court advantage throughout the NECC playoffs. The reigning conference coach of the year, Chapell is a ridiculous 56-2 in conference play since taking over in 2013.Â
"We know we can play with the top teams in the country (i.e. Sprinfield) so that only builds our confidence. We were only the second Division 3 team all season to take a set off Springfield. Compared to years past when we would roll in there and get smoked in the first set 25-15 or 25-10 ... I think that says a lot about this team."
So what makes this squad special? Is it the overall experience and depth of a tightly knit group, or the tremendous leadership coupled with a pure feel for the game of volleyball across the board? Chapell believes there's no one answer, rather a perfect storm stemming from the top and weaving it's way to the win column.Â
"It all starts with the leadership from Troy Riorden (the team's only senior)," said Chapell. "He sets the tone for everybody. He's a quiet leader and leads by example; he's really grown into and embraced that role."
A two-time NECC Player of the Week this season, Riorden let's his game do all the talking. He leads the Gulls in service aces per set with a 0.56 clip; he's second in kills with 159 and second in digs (150) and digs per set (2.38).
Add in leading assist men Adam Dake (6.54 helpers per set) and Chad Riorden (5.31 per set), as well as reigning conference Rookie of the Year Bryn Lipton (team-best 189 kills) and fellow offensive weapon Donovan Dey, and Chapell has a lineup he can confidently deploy against the toughest of competition.Â
The coach also highlighted the play of junior high-flyer Jeremy Doski and classmate Seth Braquet, both of whom boast hitting percentages most collegiate players would envy. Collectively, the Gulls outstanding group has garnered 15 three sets to none sweeps in their 18 wins, and has gone the distance (five sets) just twice all season: A 3-2 setback at No. 10 ranked Wentworth and a 3-2 triumph over Mt. St. Vincent back in January.Â
"These guys go into every match with confidence — they're fearless," said Chapell. "I think the rest of the conference probably hates how confident we are and maybe sees us as a bit arrogant, but I believe it's a healthy confidence. It's good for a program to go into each match thinking and knowing we'll win if we give it our best shot."
A pair of bouts with Lesley University on Tuesday pave the way for the Gulls' final two matches of the regular campaign against MIT (Thursday) and Dean College (Saturday). Then, the real season begins.Â
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