Heading into the 2022 season, the men’s volleyball team was ranked number 10 in the nation on the NAIA Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, and they have big goals to accomplish as the season progresses.
Despite being a top ten NAIA team in the nation, the Cougars are hungry for more.
Although they dropped in ranking in the first month of play, any early season struggles aren’t going to define or create setbacks with this team’s camaraderie or ambition to succeed.
Sophomore middle blocker and opposite hitter, Jake McClain, more than understands how important it is for the team to stick together and uplift each other through any struggles they face.
McClain says that being able to play in those types of high pressure games, “gives [them] looks against better teams that we might not normally get to see”. And much of the credit goes to head coach, Tom Ryan, who has done an admirable job preparing his team for these matches.
Following a 23-4 season, the Cougars know what it takes to succeed and what they look like when they’re playing at their best, and they are determined to perform above those levels.
McClain also said that although the 2020-21 season didn’t end how they wanted it to, they “are here to prove to everyone that we not only are playing to get to the national tournament, but win it”.
A competitive environment and an intense ambition to succeed is going to push this team to exceptional lengths, as well as put pressure on their opponents to be at their best at every point during the game.
The Cougars are on a three game winning streak heading into a week of CCAC matchups. They will also be hosting the Saint Xavier Tri-Match at the Shannon Center on Saturday the 12th.