You would have to go back more than a decade to find the last time the Saint Xavier Men’s Volleyball team had a winning record before 3rd year Head coach Tom Ryan took over the team. In his first season as Head coach in 2018, Ryan added ten total wins from the previous year. Former Volleyball player for Saint Xavier Ryan seems to be no stranger to getting things turned around. He has done it at the division one level at Quincy, he has done it at Prairie State College, and he has done it at Saint Xavier; Ryan is not just a coach, he is a teacher of the game. So, where does the team go from here? How do they improve and continue to build on what looks like a promising future? It will take a Team formula to increase their sets and kills from a year ago, which at the time they were second in the division in overall hitting percentage.
“The number one priority we set out for this year is becoming a team. Focusing on the process of team building and letting the results speak for themselves. All our further steps will help us to continue to improve. We’ve brought in some truly great recruiting classes; some of the veterans here are really developing consistency in the technique we’ve been establishing. Work ethic has improved, the gym culture has improved, so I think the bar continues to go higher from here,” said Coach Ryan.
Developing a winning culture will start with the veterans on this team. Not only will they have to raise their level of play, but they will need to continue to develop for this team to take the next step. Grant Ooms, An All America, CCAC Player Of The Year, Ranked 12th in kills per game last season (3.95) and 17th in kills total (237), will help lead the way. “Kyle Springer has been a mainstay for the program; he’s looking at a potential position switch this year, very talented player. We brought back Aaron Kummer. This is his COVID-19 senior season, and was an all America as a junior, ” Said coach Ryan. Kyle Springer was named to all CCAC second team in 2019. Springer ranked 13th in assists per game last year (0.4), 14th in assists overall (25), and 10th in service aces per game (0.2). Aaron Kummer was named all CCAC in 2019, was 23rd in assists per game last season (8.39), and 7th in assists (453). These 3 accomplished upperclassmen will undoubtedly elevate their level of play this season and look for others to do the same.
“Shane Ooms coming off injury who we thought was one of the best kids in his class will have an impact this year. Mitchell Seggerman from Iowa, a 6-6 left who’s incredibly talented. Kris Springer, Kyle Springer brother we have coming in from Brother Rice. Jake McClain from Marist high school is a state champion, and Brendan Chausse is a transfer; he’s from Marist high school as well, and also a high school state champion.”
– Coach Ryan
The next step for the Men’s Volleyball team must be to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with. So far, the Cougars have struggled to win the big games going 1-10 against ranked opponents in 3 years. So how do they continue to evolve and win the big games?
“The key to that is treating those guys as if they aren’t big opponents. I’ve seen guys work themselves up and treat those big games like big games, and if you do that, the stress becomes too big to overcome, instead of just playing the game. If we can get the guys into the mindset to just execute the things we work on every day, those wins will come’, Said Coach Ryan. The future under Coach Ryan is promising. If there is any Coach that can get this program over the hump, look no further. The Cougars’ first game will be on January 15th against in-state rival Quincy University. This Volleyball season could be the year the Cougars cement themselves as a force!
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