The MBU men's volleyball team extended its win streak to seventeen in the process of claiming the MAMVIC West Tournament Championship April 10 in Denver, Colorado. Several Spartans also earned All-Conference honors.
The Spartans continued their winning ways by rolling past their competition in three-game matches. MBU beat Graceland University in Friday's Opening Round 30-20, 30-12, 30-25. They then defeated host Johnson & Wales University 30-29, 30-27, 30-22 in the Semifinal Round on Saturday. The Spartans put away local rival Lindenwood University 30-19, 30-26, 36-34 to claim the MAMVIC crown on Saturday.
At the Conference Awards Banquet, several Spartans received All-Conference hardware. Earning top honors, Coach John Yehling was named MAMVIC West Coach of the Year, senior right side hitter
Matt Mahoney was named Player of the Year, and senior
Josh Haegele was named Setter of the Year. In addition to Haegele and Mahoney, sophomore outside hitter
Jonathan Roldan also earned First-Team All-Conference honors. Sophomore
Zach Zeris was named All-Conference Honorable Mention. Junior setter
Jedson Barbosa earned Academic All-Conference recognition.
"Our guys worked very hard all fall and this season to earn these All-Conference awards," said Coach Yehling. "To follow that up with a conference tournamentÂ
championship on Saturday means more to the guys than all of the awards."
With the MAMVIC West Championship Title, the Spartans earn an automatic berth to the NAIA National Invitational April 22-24 in Davenport, Iowa.
