2005-06 Men's Volleyball Press Releases
4-13-06 Dupont and Hennings Awarded MAMVIC West All-Conference Selection
Al Dupont was named 2nd Team All-Conference by the coaches of Mid America Men’s Intercollegiate Volleyball Conference West.Dupont an outside hitter played in 83 regular season games. Al finished with a hitting percentage of .217 and an average of 3.04 kills per game. Dupont is a sophomore from Honolulu, Hawaii studying studio art.
Steve Hennings was named as an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection by the Coaches of Mid America Men’s Intercollegiate Volleyball Conference West.
Steve played in 74 regular season games as a middle hitter. He ended the season with a .293 hitting percentage an average of 2.72 kills per game. Steve was also recognized as a MAMVIC West All-Tournament Team selection at the tournament held at Graceland University on April 7th and 8th. Hennings is a sophomore from Bettendorf, Iowa studying Business Administration.
04-08-06 MAMVIC VolleyballTournament Info and Results
The MAMVIC West conference tournament will be held at Graceland University on Friday and Saturday, April 7th – 8th. The format will be attached with the one and two seeds receiving a bye into Friday’s Semi-final match.
All Games to be played at Closson Center on main court.
Friday----------------------------------------------------------------------------
10:00am #3 Newman University vs #6 Peru State College
Winner of Match will Play #2 Missouri Valley College at 2:00pm
12:00pm #4 Graceland University vs #5 Johnson & Wales
Winner of Match will Play #1 Park University at 4:00pm
Banquet-- The conference banquet will take place at 7:30 PM on Friday in the MSC Main Room. The cost is $11 per person. If you plan to pay by check, please make it payable to Graceland University.
MAMVIC West Conference Tournament Score Update at
10:00am Match
#3
Home Visitor
Game 1 30 22
Game 2 30 15
Game 3 30 24
No Stats reported at this time
# 4
Game 1 30 24
Game 2 19 30
Game 3 30 21
Game 4 28 30
Game 5 21 19
Johnson & Wales: Sean Bartosewcz, Sophmore, OPP – 23 kills, 12 digs, 6 blocks
Cody Dunston, Sophmore, S – 60 assists, 9 digs, 3 blocks
Brad Larsen, Freshman, Libero – 17 digs
# 2
Game 1 30 25
Game 2 26 30
Game 3 30 23
Game 4 30 26
No stats reported at this time
# 1
Game 1 30 22
Game 2 30 25
Game 3 31 33
Game 4 31 29
Saturday------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolation 3rd Place Tournament Play will take place at 1:00pm on Saturday.
Chamiponship Game will be played at 4:00pm on Saturday.
MAMVIC West Conference Tournament Score Update at
#3
Game 1 30 16
Game 2 30 28
Game 3 24 30
Game 4 30 27
No Stats reported at this time.
#1
Game 1 21 30
Game 2 26 30
Game 3 25 30
No Stats reported at this time
All Tournament Team Selections ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Practice Balls Graceland will provide warm-up balls for each court. Please help us protect these balls by shagging prior to each match.
Warm- Ups-- The warm-up protocol will follow the standard 20 minute MAMVIC warm-up of: Visitors 5 minutes, Home 5 minutes, Visitors 5 minutes and Home 5 minutes.
Athletic Training-- Graceland will have a trainer on duty for all matches. The training room will be open 2 hours prior to match time. We will provide ice, but please bring your medical kit.
Admission-- Spectator admission will be $5 for adults and $2 for students.
Locker Rooms-- Locker rooms will be provided for each team. Teams will need to bring their own supply of towels for showering purposes. These locker rooms will be shared and unlocked, so we suggest that any valuables not be left in them. Please pick up after yourself.
02-25-06 Graceland Men’s Volleyball Returns to the Closson This Week
The Graceland men’s volleyball team lost 1-3 to Missouri Baptist and 0-3 to Lindenwood on the road this weekend. The Yellowjackets have played eight road games in a row, and will return to the Closson Center this week.The Jackets lost to Missouri Baptist University in four Friday night in St. Louis, Mo. The Spartans took the first two 20-30 and 27-30, but the Jackets fought back to win the third 30-28. Missouri Baptist ended the night with a 30-24 win over Graceland.
On Saturday Graceland lost 25-30, 25-30 and 19-30 to Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.
Graceland is now 7-11 overall. The Jackets return to the Closson Center in Lamoni, Iowa, on March 2 and March 3 to play Johnson and Wales University. Both games begin at 7 p.m.
02-22-06 Gonzales Earns Second Player of the Week Award
Graceland sophomore Ryan Gonzales has earned his second Mid-America Men’s Volleyball Intercollegiate Conference West Libero of the Week award for the 2006 season.Gonzales, from Mililani, Hawaii, averaged 2.71 digs last week with only one service reception error. Throughout the week, Gonzales and the Jackets beat both St. Ambrose University and Calumet College 3-1 and lost 0-3 to Missouri Baptist University and Lindenwood University in the Homewood Suites Invitational hosted by Park University.
Gonzales was previously recognized as the libero of the week on Feb. 13.
Watch Ryan in action on March 2 and March 3 as the Yellowjackets play conference opponent Johnson and Wales University at 7 p.m. in the Closson Center.
02-17-06 Graceland Gets Revenge on St. Ambrose at Park Tournament
The Graceland men’s volleyball team beat St. Ambrose University 3-1, but lost 0-3 to Missouri Baptist University on the first day of the Homewood Suites Invitational hosted by Park University in Parkville, Mo.The Jackets got revenge on St. Ambrose after the Yellowjackets lost 2-3 to St. Ambrose on Feb. 10. In today’s matches, St. Ambrose built off their performance Feb. 10, winning the first game 33-31, but Graceland came back to sweep the next three 34-32, 30-22 and 30-22.
Earlier in the day Graceland lost 16-30, 28-30 and 26-30 to Missouri Baptist University. Graceland is now 6-8 overall.
Graceland completes the tournament on Saturday, Feb. 18 with an 11 a.m. game against Calumet College and a 1 p.m. game against Lindenwood University.
02-13-06 Graceland Athletes Earn Player of the Week Awards
The MidAmerica Men’s Volleyball Intercollegiate Conference (MAMVIC) has recognized two Graceland athletes as conference players of the week for the week ending Feb. 5.Junior middle hitter Rick Fera, from Independence, Mo., was named MAMVIC West Player of the Week. Fera hit .522 for the week and averaged one block per game.
Ryan Gonzales, a sophomore, was the MAMVIC West Libero of the Week. The native of Mililani, Hawaii, had 30 digs this week with a perfect passing percentage.
See Fera and Gonzales in action at 7 p.m. on March 2 as the Yellowjackets play Johnson and Wales University in Lamoni, Iowa.
02-07-06 Men’s Volleyball Beats Peru in Four
The Graceland men’s volleyball team beat Peru State College in four Tuesday night in Lamoni, Iowa.The Yellowjackets beat the Bobcats 30-28 in the first and won the second 31-29 over the conference rival. Graceland took Peru to the wire in the third, but came up short 30-32. On the heels of the third-game loss, the Jackets were victorious 30-24 in the fourth and final game.
Graceland is now 5-5 overall as they head into an eight-game stretch on the road. The Yellowjackets return to their home court to play Johnson and Wales on March 2 and March 3 at 7 p.m. on both nights.
02-04-06 Men’s Volleyball Goes 2-2 at Lindenwood Tournament
The Graceland men’s volleyball team won two and lost two games at the Lindenwood Tournament this weekend in St. Charles, Mo. Graceland is now 4-5 overall.On Friday the Yellowjackets beat Newman University in five and lost in three to Hope International. The Newman match started slow for the Jackets, falling behind by two with 24-30 and 26-30 losses. Graceland turned up the power in the final three games, winning 30-27, 30-24 and 15-11 to take the match in five. Hope International took three games from Graceland by scores of 25-30, 20-30 and 26-30.
Saturday morning the Jackets opened with a three-game win over Cardinal Stritch University, then lost in four to Missouri Baptist to end the tournament. The three-game sweep of Cardinal Stritch came by scores of 30-28, 30-24 and 30-26. Missouri Baptist took the first game from the Jackets 30-21, but Graceland came back with a 34-32 win in the second. The Jackets made another run in the third game, but fell short 33-35, then lost the final game of the tournament 23-30 to the Spartans from Mo. Baptist.
Graceland hosts Peru State College on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Closson Center. The Jackets will not have another home game until March 2 when they host Johnson and Wales University at 7 p.m.
Ohana Road -- From Honolulu Star Bulletin
Graceland University is riding Hawaii's volleyball talentBy Cindy Luis of the Honolulu Star Bulletin
Ainoa Miyashiro left Hawaii ... only to find Hawaii. The sophomore setter for Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa) is joined on the varsity team by six other players from the islands and one on the junior varsity.
"I left Hawaii, thinking I'd be experiencing new things and it didn't exactly happen that way," Miyashiro (Kamehameha '04) said. "I'm not sure that I'm disappointed or surprised with so many Hawaiians and players from Hawaii here.
"For me, I was looking for an experience that would be different from home. Sometimes, practice is like an ILH match."
But that's OK for Miyashiro, a second-generation college volleyball player and the second of three children of Joey and Gordon Miyashiro to play at the collegiate level. Ainoa's mother, Joey Akeo, was a two-time All-American during her career at Hawaii (1974-77); his older sister Tehani (Punahou '97) played for the Rainbow Wahine (1997-98) and younger sister Tamari (Kalani '05) redshirted this past season as a freshman on the NCAA champion Washington team.
Although none of his Graceland teammates played with Miyashiro at Kamehameha, the "local style" of volleyball helped make his transition to the next level easier. The Yellowjackets finished sixth in the MidAmerica Men's Volleyball Intercollegiate Conference last season at 5-13, 12-15 overall.
It was a disappointment for Miyashiro, who is used to success. He was a three-time All-State selection at Kamehameha, leading the Warriors to two state titles and a runner-up finish, and named an All-American at the 2003 Junior Olympics, where his ASICS team finished third.
But things are looking up this season. The sixth-ranked Yellowjackets are 2-3 with a win over No. 5 Missouri Valley, a team that features Miyashiro's Kamehameha teammate Adam Tuifagu. "This year's team meshes better than last year, has better chemistry," Miyashiro said. "We've got four new players who have been pretty key to our success.
"A lot of the Hawaii guys were last-minute additions and I was surprised to see some of them when I came back from (Christmas) break. But everybody's got a good attitude.
"I have high expectations: making it to regionals, then to nationals. It's in our grasp. Every day is about focusing on our goal. Last year, we forgot about taking care of business, doing the things that would get us to where we want to go. Now we're doing it every day in order to get to the goal."
Second-year coach Chad McDole has enjoyed the team's progress, tinged with an island flavor.
"The Hawaii kids are fundamentally sound," he said. "They are fun to coach, and bring a unique bond to the team. The Hawaiians bring a spirit that we have embraced. 'Shoots, cuz,' 'Yeah, brah,' and 'Howzit, coach?' are just some of the lingo we hear from them.
"They are some of the best players in the nation and we are committed to keeping Hawaii players very much a part of our tradition here at Graceland."
McDole inherited the team from Stu Sherman, who retired after the 2003 spring season. McDole didn't meet some of the recruits until coming to the Junior Olympics that following summer.
But the tradition of Hawaii players at the small Iowa school (enrollment 1,200) dates back to the 1990s with Bo Frank (Moanalua '92), who helped the Yellowjackets to the 1998 NAIA title. There's also a strong alumni group in Hawaii.
"A few of our players recruited themselves," McDole said. "The core I started with, Allison Dupont (Pearl City '02) and Donan Cruz (Baldwin '01), helped recruit Pono Yin (Aiea '04), Ainoa and Clint Torres (Leilehua '02).
"Ronson Olaso (Kamehameha '05) recruited himself. And Ryan Gonzales (Mililani '03) just fell in my lap. He could be the second-best libero in the NAIA and will be one of the best passers and defenders Graceland has ever had. Players have come based on recommendations from current players and through relationships they built with each other while playing with each other growing up."
McDole also came to watch the Hawaii high school state tournament last November, saying he was very pleased with the entire experience.
"It was the most productive recruiting trip I have made as a men's volleyball coach," McDole said. "The coaches, players and families were so receptive and appreciative for us coming out there to see them play.
"For example I spoke with Peter Balding (Punahou) minutes after they won the state championship and scheduled a meeting with him the next day to talk about some of his players. What coach would give a college coach any of his time just after winning a state championship? He's a first-class guy who had the best interests of all the Hawaii boys at heart, even from other schools."
At least one player from Hawaii has already committed to Graceland for next season. All-State selection Charles Bell from Kahuku gave a commitment last week.
As for Miyashiro, McDole couldn't say enough.
"He is an outstanding leader, cares about the team and is willing to keep his teammates accountable," McDole said. "He is very respectful, sweet, hard working and coachable ... not to mention a great setter.
"He is about as ideal of a teammate as you can get. Our offense is structured around Ainoa and his ability to run a fast-tempo offense. We believe that is what is going to make us successful and a lot of that success rides on his shoulders. We are excited about our future this season."
Miyashiro is already planning for his life beyond college and volleyball. This summer, the arts and education major will work the Yellowjackets' summer volleyball camp for girls -- Miyashiro was the assistant for the Graceland women's team last fall -- and work at a church camp (Graceland is affiliated with the Community of Christ).
"I like it here," said Miyashiro, who wants to eventually teach at Kamehameha. "Adjustment-wise, it was pretty easy and I've made so many friends from other countries who go to school here.
"The weather was an adjustment. Today was nice because there were parts of blue in the sky. We've had some snow and that is fun. Probably the biggest adjustment is to the food ... and I love to eat anything. I have discovered there are 40 different ways of making potatoes." To see story online, go to http://starbulletin.com/2006/02/02/sports/story05.html
01-24-06 Men’s Volleyball Evens Record to 2-2
The Graceland men’s volleyball team lost in three to Missouri Valley College Tuesday night in Lamoni to even their record to 2-2 this season.After a 3-1 victory over Missouri Valley on Saturday, Graceland looked to take another win from the Vikings just three days later. Graceland lost the first game 24-30 after making a comeback from an early 2-13 score. After winning the first game, the Vikings never looked back, winning the next two 30-25 and 30-22.
Graceland next plays Park University in Parkville, Mo. on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. The Jackets return to the Closson Center on the 7th to play Peru State at 7 p.m. for their only home game in the month of February.
01-21-06 Graceland Men’s Volleyball Wins Two of Three in Tournament
The Graceland men’s volleyball team won two of their three matches in the Graceland University Men’s Volleyball Invitational Tournament this weekend. The Jackets opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) on Friday, and on Saturday lost their first game in three to Lindenwood University (Mo.) but came back with a 3-1 win over Missouri Valley College in the second match.Graceland opened the day Saturday with a tough 0-3 loss to the Lindenwood Lions from St. Charles, Mo. The Jackets played their best game in the first, losing by just three points, 27-30. In the second, the Lions took over with a 30-21 win and continued into the third with a 30-23 win.
Graceland had an hour break, then took to the court against the Missouri Valley College Vikings from Marshall, Mo. The Jackets seized an early 27-30 lead, but the Vikings came back to tie the match at one apiece with a 30-27 win in the second. The third game was a hard fought event, and Graceland prevailed 30-26 to move into the fourth and final game. Graceland ended the day with a 30-27 win and a 6-4 overall tournament record.
Graceland is now 2-1 overall and looks to their next game, which is at home on Tuesday, January 24 at 8 p.m., as a rematch event against Missouri Valley College. The junior varsity team will have a match at 6 p.m. that same evening.
01-20-06 Graceland Volleyball Opens Season With 3-0 Win
Friday night the Graceland men’s volleyball team opened the 2006 season with a 3-0 win over Calumet College of St. Joseph in the first round of the Graceland Invitational.The Yellowjackets played a powerful first game, winning 30-21 over the Crimson Wave from Whiting, Ind. Graceland next took a 30-19 win from Calumet in the second game. In the third game the Jackets looked to the high-flying play of Al Dupont and Clint Torres to make a come-from-behind 33-31 win.
The Yellowjackets next play Lindenwood University on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. followed by a 2:30 p.m. game with Missouri Valley College on the final day of the Graceland Invitational Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
Complete tournament scores for Friday, January 20:
Missouri Valley defeated Peru 3-0 (30-19, 30-21, 30-24)
Lindenwood defeated Newman 3-1 (25-30, 30-21, 30-28, 30-28)
Graceland defeated Calumet 3-0 (30-21, 30-19, 33-31)
Graceland University Men’s Volleyball Invitational Tournament
January 20-21 2006Closson Center
Lamoni, Iowa
TEAMS
Peru State College
Newman University
Graceland University
Missouri Valley College
Lindenwood University
Calumet College
| Friday | Court 1 | Court 2 |
|
6 p.m.
|
Missouri Valley defeated Peru 3-0 (30-19, 30-21, 30-24) |
Lindenwood defeated Newman 3-1 (25-30, 30-21, 30-28, 30-28) |
|
8:15 p.m.
|
Graceland defeated Calumet 3-0 (30-21, 30-19, 33-31) |
|
| Saturday | Court 1 | Court 2 |
| 10 a.m. | Peru vs. Calumet | Newman vs. Mo. Valley |
| 12:15 p.m. | Graceland vs. Lindenwood | Newman vs. Calumet |
| 2:30 p.m. | Graceland vs. Mo. Valley | Peru vs. Lindenwood |
FORMAT
The event will be a classic format. Every team will play three matches. All matches will start on time, but no sooner than 30 minutes after the previous match on the court has finished. All matches will be 3 out of 5 and governed by NAIA rules.
ADMISSION
Ticket sellers will be located at each gym entrance. Spectator admission will be: $5 for adults and $3 for students.
MOTELS
Super 8 Motel is located in Lamoni off of exit #4 of I-35. The phone # is 641-784-7500
Chief Lamoni Motel is located in Lamoni off of exit #4 of I-35. The phone # is 641-784-3329.
Best Western is located in Bethany Missouri no more than 30 minutes from Lamoni south on I-35. The phone # is 660-425-8006.
I would recommend either the Super 8 or the Best Western in Bethany. However feel free to stay in the Chief Lamoni if you would rather not drive to Bethany and the Super 8 is full.
We want to provide a positive tournament experience for all teams involved. If you have any questions, suggestions, or needs, please contact me at cmcdole@graceland.edu or 641-784-5317
