MIDWAY, Ky. -- Coming off a quarterfinals appearance in the Mid-South Conference Tournament in 2019, the Midway University men's volleyball team is set to begin year No. 2 this weekend when they host Milligan (Tenn.) and Millikin (Ill.).
The Eagles will first take on Milligan on Friday (Jan. 24) at 5 p.m. ET, while they will host Millikin at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday (Jan. 25). Live stats and live video will be available for both matches.
In their debut season in 2019, the Eagles posted a 4-15 mark overall and a 2-11 record in league play. They defeated Brewton-Parker (Ga.) in the First Round of the MSC Tournament before falling to eventual tournament champion St. Andrews (N.C.) in the tournament quarterfinals.
Last season might not have gone as planned, but head coach Jonea Rima returns five players from that team, while she has also added some key pieces who could step in and play right away.
Leading the charge for the returners is Victor Bazzo. The sophomore from Gloria de Dourados, Brazil was named MSC Freshman of the Year, while he also earned First Team All-Conference honors in 2019.
He finished the season ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in kills per set (5.6), while ranking sixth in total kills (379). To go with his 379 kills, Bazzo compiled 123 digs and 35 services aces. He also posted a .249 hitting clip in his 18 matches.
Also returning for their sophomore season is Gavin James Andaya. The setter from Kapolei, Hawaii is back after carding 432 assists and averaging 6.17 assists per set as a freshman. He also picked up 108 digs and 43 kills.
Nate Martin (Pickerington, Ohio), Ryan Meyers (St. Louis, Mo.) and Eric Rosado (San German, Puerto Rico) are also back after seeing valuable time last season. Martin recorded 80 kills and 102 digs last year, Meyers saw time at setter and recorded 127 assists to go with 61 digs and 29 kills, while Rosado chipped in 41 kills to help the offensive attack.
All five are expected to see time in 2020 after seeing significant playing time in the programs first year in 2019. Along with the returners, Coach Rima has added a pair of transfers as well as three true freshman who are likely to step in and play right away in 2020.
Junior transfer, Adrian Constant (All Saints, Antigua) will provide a presence on the right side and will help out the offensive attack, while sophomore transfer, Noah Ray (Reardan-Edwall, Wash.) could see time in the backrow.
Zo Severre – a freshman from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands – will help stabilize the middle with a six-foot four-inch frame, Nick Majors (Forked River, N.J.) could see time at setter and Quade Miller-Edwards (Surprise, Ariz.) will likely also see time in the backrow.
Following their two game homestand to open the season, Rima's club will hit the road for their next 10 matches including trips to Thomas More (Ky.), Cumberland (Tenn.), Webber International (Fla.) and Campbellsville (Ky.). The Eagles will play seven of their final nine games inside Marshall Gymnasium.
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