Harvard University
Season Outlook
The 2008 Harvard men's volleyball team is looking to once again
return to prominence atop the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball
Association. In an increasingly competitive Hay Division, Harvard
is poised to fight its way back to the top after finishing third in
2007. This year, with an experienced core of returning players and
an infusion of new blood, the Crimson has a combination that could
return Harvard to its winning ways.
The Crimson finished the 2007 season with an 11-6 overall record
but found itself 5-5 in the EIVA. With un-timely losses, Harvard
finished third in the Hay Division. As the 2008 season looms, the
Crimson is prepared to start the season with the same momentum that
carried it through its winning streaks in the 2007 season.
In the wake of the resignation of Chris Ridolfi, assistant coach
Jose Barbosa has been named interim head coach. Having assisted for
the last two years, Barbosa has brought a new energy and volleyball
philosophy that is intended to propel the Crimson to the next
level.
The Crimson graduated three integral members from the team last
year. But the roster still boasts seven players, including three
seniors, one sophomore and three freshmen. With such a small
roster, all the players will take on a significant role in practice
and on the court.
Pacing the offense are senior Jordan Weitzen and junior captain
Brady Weissbourd. Weitzen is entering his fourth year starting for
the Crimson and third year as an outside hitter. Regarded as one of
the Crimson's most solid all-around players, he will be a key
option in the offense (172 kills in 2007) as well as a primary
passer and defender (77 digs in 2007). Weissbourd is clearly the
most intimidating option on offense, finishing last year with a
.429 hitting percentage and 79 total blocks. A two-time EIVA Player
of the Week, Weissbourd, a middle blocker, ranked in the top 20 in
the nation in attack percentage.
Senior Jamie Crooks steps back into his position at opposite and
presents one of the hardest swings and biggest blocks in the
league. The lefty will add another option to what is shaping up to
be a very intimidating offense. Rounding out the offensive side of
the ball are sophomores Soren Rosier at middle blocker and Erik
Kuld on the outside. Rosier and Kuld have proved to be excellent
foils to their older counterparts (Weissbourd and Weitzen) and will
be thrust headlong into the Crimson attack.
Distributing the ball will be sophomore Gil Weintraub who enters
his first season as the full-time setter. After battling injury
last season, Weintraub, whose work ethic is unmatched, has already
showed flashes of brilliance while swinging on the right side. In
2008, Weintraub will be in charge of the offense, and after getting
time at the setter position at the end of 2007, all signs point to
a seamless transition.
On the defensive side on the ball, senior Brian Rapp returns to the
libero position. After leading the Crimson with 2.17 digs per game
in 2007, Rapp will be the primary passer and defender in 2008. With
three years of experience for both Rapp and Weitzen, there is a
greater sense of maturity that will be brought to the pass and the
team as a whole.
The roster is rounded out with junior Jeff Nathan, who will be
competing for playing time on the outside and freshmen Daniel
Medina, Lubomir Malo, and Shaun Monsour. With this much talent on
the roster there will be a constant battle for the starters to
prove themselves.
There will be a total of 10 matches played at home this season,
five being EIVA Hay Division matches. The season will begin Jan. 30
with a trip to Nashua, N.H., to face Rivier. The Crimson will then
return to Cambridge to play a four-match homestand beginning Feb. 1
against Rutgers-Newark. Other home contests include two sets of
Wednesday-Friday matches Feb. 20 and March 5. The only standalone
weekend match is March 15 when the Crimson hosts Mount Olive.
Harvard visits cross town foe MIT Wednesday March 19 at 7 p.m.
The Crimson returns to a renovated Malkin Athletic Center where a
new facility will create a new era for Harvard men's volleyball.
