Men’s Volleyball earns number one ranking

Kean players celebrate after a point

By Krzysztof Kucza

After getting it’s best ranking and best seed at the NCAA tournament in school history just a year, the Men’s Volleyball team continues its stellar play. For the first time in program history, the Kean men’s volleyball program has claimed the top spot in the current American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Top 15 Poll.

The Cougars, under Coach Charlie Ginex, are an impressive 16-0 (only undefeated team left in the nation) and have their best start ever in only its fifth year as a varsity program here at Kean University. In Kean’s first own, “Clash At Kean”, the Cougars dethroned then #1 Juanita (25-20, 22-25, 27- 25, 12-25, 17-15) and back-to-back NCAA champions #3 Springfield (25-19, 25-13, 30-28).

“It just seems like this year, we get it.” stated Senior Setter Ron Dunn when asked . “Our chemistry is stronger than ever and the competition in practice forces us all to be better.”

Chemistry is something that the Men’s Volleyball team have been brewing for the past four year. Five seniors lead the Cougars this year and four have been playing aside on another since their freshman year.

“Playing together since freshman year has built more than a friendship,” explained Senior Opposite Hitter Ed Jedziniak. “The chemistry between us is at an all time high because we know one another’s strength and weaknesses so we know how to push each other and pick each other up.”

Coach Charlie Ginex also recognizes the importance of having this core of seniors on this year’s roster:

“We have five seniors on this team and a lot of very good leadership qualities among those gentlemen,” expressed Ginex. “We have four seniors that have been playing together for four years in this program and their leadership and experience has really shown this year.”

In just his second season as Head Coach, Ginex is a stunning 39-8 and feels like he can improve on this spectacular record:

“We are only about one third of the way through the season. Right now we are feeling good about where we are. There are a lot of very good teams in this country and we are only one of them. We know there is a lot of work to be done but we feel that with commitment and constant growth we can evolve and get to where we want to be by NCAA tournament time.”

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