Kean men’s volleyball falls short of ultimate goal
By Steven Merrill | Published on May 15, 2019
The Kean men’s volleyball team had a successful season on paper but is disappointed with the way in which it ended.
After winning the conference and reaching the NCAA Tournament for seven straight years, this season marks the first time under Head Coach Charlie Ginex that the program failed to do so. However, the program feels it still has a lot of positives to take away from the 2019 season.
Junior setter Ian Capp plays the ball
Junior Ian Capp racked up many awards individually while also leading the team. He was named second-team All-America by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and for the second straight season, was named the Continental Volleyball Conference Player and Setter of the Year while landing on first team all-conference. In 10 conference matches, Capp totaled 184 assists, 60 kills, 43 digs, 31 aces, and eight blocks.
On March 1, Capp became the program’s all-time aces leader with 201 and has a chance to separate himself from previous record holder Jacob Kauffman. Capp is also the second player in program history to reach 2,000 career assists. He also earned four New Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards this season.
“I don’t really look into (accolades) too much because when my team plays well, they make me look good,” Capp said. “Obviously, it’s nice to be recognized by the conference and on the national level, but it’s not that hard to get accolades when you’re on such a great team.”
Kamil Garbowski finished off his career by earning first-team All-America by the AVCA. The 6-foot-5 middle blocker had 54 kills, 13 blocks, and 10 digs in nine CVC matches. The senior played in 91 career matches, racking up 195 sets and 358 kills while also earning first team all-conference. Juniors Dylan Flor and Jake Milnazik earned second and third team honors for the conference as well.
“That recognition is great and I am proud knowing how hard they worked,” said Ginex.
Senior middle blocker Kamil Garbowski spiking the ball
Garbowski is the second player to be named first-team All-America in the program’s history while Capp is the third player to make an All-America team twice in their career.
“After years of watching great middles play, this year was the year that I was able to put all of my hard work into use and I wouldn’t want any other group of guys to be on the court with,” Garbowski said. “This season as a team we’ve accomplished many feats in program history.”
Junior libero Jonathan Meyer makes a dig during a volley
Although the team didn’t reach the NCAA tournament, they were still able to be recognized nationally throughout the year. The Cougars were ranked as high as the third best team in the country and defeated two programs they never had beaten before. They also knocked off four nationally ranked teams, including #2 Stevens Institute of Technology.
“We beat a lot of good teams, but we just couldn’t beat them when it mattered,” Capp said.
With a record of 22-7 and 10-1 in the CVC, even though it was a disappointing season in their eyes, the team believes it sets up for more success next season.
“Even though we came up short at the end of the season I expect that next year’s team should not be reckoned with,” said Garbowski.
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