Men's Volleyball Makes Long-Awaited Debut This Weekend

1/10/2019 1:00:00 PM

By: By Mike Miranto, Sr. Associate A.D. for External Operations & Communications

GAME INFORMATION & LINKS
GAME #1: Daemen Wildcats (0-0) vs. Alderson Broaddus Battlers (0-0)
Friday, Jan. 11 | 4:30 p.m. | Loretto, Pa. | DeGol Arena | Red Flash Invitational

Live Stats
Watch: Facebook Live
Game Day

GAME #2: Daemen Wildcats (0-0) vs. St. Francis Red Flash (0-0)
Saturday, Jan. 12 | 2:30 p.m. | Loretto, Pa. | DeGol Arena | Red Flash Invitational

Live Stats
Watch: Facebook Live

GAME #3: Daemen Wildcats (0-0) vs. Emmanuel Saints
Saturday, Jan. 12 | 5 p.m. | Loretto, Pa. | DeGol Arena | Red Flash Invitational

Live Stats
Watch: Facebook Live

THE SERVE
The Daemen men's volleyball team makes its long-awaited debut this weekend with three matches at the Red Flash Invitational hosted by Division I St. Francis (Pa.). The program was announced as an addition to Daemen's athletic offerings in May of 2017, some 20 months ago. Daemen is the 27th NCAA Division II program in the country, and the only one north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Friday's inaugural match will be played against fellow Division II member Alderson Broaddus, and on Saturday the Wildcats will face the tournament hosts as well as Division II Emmanuel.

THE BEARDED ONE
Don Gleason was named the first head men's volleyball coach at Daemen on May 5, 2017, the same day that the establishment of the program was announced. Gleason brings a wealth of experience to the position, including previous coaching stops at Stony Brook, Buffalo, Yale, Southern California and Medaille. In addition to his coaching responsibilities with the men's program, Gleason has served as an assistant coach with the Daemen women's team for the past three seasons, helping them to a pair of NCAA tournament berths.

THE FRESHMEN EXPERIENCE
Daemen is fielding a nine-man roster in this inaugural season, and all nine are freshman when it comes to athletic eligibility. Eight of the nine players are new to Daemen this year. Freshman setter Michael Krueger is expected to run the team's offense, and he'll be distributing to the likes of Jahari Winkfield and Jesse Donorovich, both of whom are adjusting to more playing time on the pin after playing primary in the middle during their respective scholastic careers. Australian product Henry Moffitt gives the Wildcats a big presence down the middle with his 6-foot-6 frame. Defensively, the Wildcats will rely on freshmen Ryan Beck and Jaden Gillette to dig balls in the back row.

ALDERSON BROADDUS SCOUTING REPORT
Alderson Broaddus is led by first-year head coach Chuck Shoemaker who comes to Battlers after a four-year stint as an assistant coach with the women's program at North Carolina Wesleyan. The Battlers return six players from their 2018 team that went 4-20 overall. Chase Christiansen is the leading returner offensively after producing 1.34 kills per set last season. Sophomore setter Moses Kresch also returns to the fold after averaging 4.47 assists per set as a true freshman.

ST. FRANCIS SCOUTING REPORT
St. Francis is a member of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association, and the Red Flash are led by longtime head coach Mike Rumbaugh who is entering his 21st season at the helm. Rumbaugh has led the Red Flash to a 239-299 record, and he'll welcome back five athletes who played significant minutes last season. Seniors Cole Thompson and Evan Feltz are among the returners, and each finished in the team's top-five in points and kills. Michael Fisher, a second team All-EIVA selection in 2017, also returns after sitting out last season.

EMMANUEL SCOUTING REPORT
Emmanuel is led by head coach James Friddle who came the program after a five-year stint with the women's program at Palm Beach Atlantic. With a young roster last season, Friddle led the Lions to a 9-16 overall record, and a 5-11 mark in Conference Carolinas. The team lost just one senior to graduation, and will return seven players to the fold. Sophomore Don Thompson returns as the leader of the offense leading the team in kills (193) and hitting percentage (.397). Thompson also played a vital role on defensive side placing second on the team in blocks (45).

ON THE HORIZON
Daemen makes its home debut, albeit in exhibition action, on Wednesday, Jan. 23 when Brock comes down from Ontario to visit Lumsden Gymnasium.

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