Season Preview: Lakers Aim to Defend National Title
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - As Finger Lakes Community College embarks on a new men's volleyball season, expectations soar for the program's 2024 squad following the program's victory in the inaugural NJCAA men's Volleyball National Invitational Championship in 2023. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Steven Verbridge, the Lakers are gearing up to defend their title with a blend of new talent and returners.
Freshman standout Bryce Nickson, arriving from Penfield HS, joins the team as a "defensive powerhouse," according to Coach Verbridge. His ability to adapt to any position on the court will complement the skills of incoming freshman, Evan Lukasiewicz, who plays the outside position and was a member of the Webster Lakers 2022 State Finalist and Section V Class A Championship team. Transfer student-athlete Devin Cline will compete in the middle position, a new challenge for the freshman. Freshman teammate Aaron Hennessy has turned heads in the preseason with his work ethic and potential on the hardwood, signaling a bright future for the newcomer to the Lakers program. The freshman class is completed by the additions of Nate Whyte and Marc Williams who are all expected to significantly elevate the team's play.
The team's backbone comprises ten returners who bring a wealth of experience from their championship run. Sophomore Bryce Ceravolo (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) will help lead the team as the setter, while teammates Nick Ferris (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua), Daniel Seymour (Bellmore, N.Y./John F. Kennedy), and Nehemiah Williams (Waterloo, N.Y./Waterloo) take up the middle with their size and strength. Samuel Guardado (San Salvador, El Salvador/Josue Christian) and Ian Meeks (Victor, N.Y./Victor) on the outside with AJ DeBalso (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) and Garyson Gaud (Walworth, N.Y./Monroe) all will bring significant experience and value to the Lakers passing in the row. The experience of teammates Jarett Campbell (Cuba, N.Y./Cuba-Rushford) and Alex Sindone (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) will be pivotal in elevating the Lakers' practice and play in the 2024 season.
Several returners finished top-5 in the nation in various statistical categories including AJ DeBalso 5th in digs per set (2.93), Nick Ferris 1st in hitting percentage (.476), Daniel Seymour 2nd in blocks per set (1.13), Bryce Ceravolo 2nd in service aces per set (0.69) and 3rd in assists per set (7.25). After the 2023 season, the Laker squad as a whole finished in the top 10 of every statistical category tracked by the NJCAA.
Coach Verbridge spoke highly of the team's camaraderie and leadership thus far, emphasizing the need to grow together as a family. With the growing popularity of men's volleyball at the NJCAA level, the competition will only increase and according the coach Verbridge, the Lakers will look to embrace that challenge, "We have tremendous player leadership on this team, and the group is closely knit already", said Verbridge, "We need to continue to build as a team and grow together as a family. The potential for this group is very high, now we just must work to reach it". Leadership is the reoccurring theme with this Lakers squad, and they are all-in for their attempt at a second-consecutive trip to the NJCAA Men's Volleyball National Championships at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Verbridge remains optimistic about his squad in 2024, "We should be one of the most experienced NJCAA teams. The players we have coming in should quickly come up to speed at the NJCAA level because of our leadership. We have a great group of tremendous young men; their character will help us navigate through adversity this season". The team has high expectations heading into the season. Not only did the program increase their match total from last season, but they have also added several matches against NCAA competition, "We believe this test will help us build upon the program's success last year" said Verbridge. With the Lakers' offensive attack being the focal point of last year's squad, the team will shift some of their focus to improve on the defensive side of the ball, "My goal for this team is to be one of the better defending teams, blocking and passing" said Verbridge, "If we can't pass, we can't win, the same is true for our serving. We need to excel in these areas every day to have the success we want as a team; the offense will fall into place if we do that".
The Lakers will kick their season off on January 30th against SUNY Brockport before entering NJCAA play on February 1st at Monroe College for the Monroe College Invitational. The Lakers will open against the Monroe Express and the College of DuPage on February 1st, before facing a pair of opponents on February 2nd including Nassau and Union County Community College(s). The Lakers will round out the invitational with a matchup against Passaic County Community College and a rematch against the 2023 NJCAA National Runner-up Monroe College Mustangs. The Lakers matchup against the Mustangs will be one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the week in NJCAA men's volleyball as the two powerhouses faceoff for the first time in the new year.
As the defending National Champions, the expectations couldn't be much higher for the group. With several returning starters and role players, complemented by a strong recruiting class, the skies are the limit for the 2024 Lakers.