As we head into the second semester lets take a look back at the Spartan Men's Volleyball Program's history of success and otherwise at the midway point.
We will start tracking the records from January 1st, 2004 which was the first season in which the Spartans began their run of 6 of 8 National Tournament appearances totaling in 5 National medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) the second most in the CIS during that period (Alberta Bears).
Year January 1 Final CW Finish 2nd Sem
Record Record Place CW/CIS Record
2004 3-5 12-8 4th 4th/3rd 9-3
2005 5-3 14-6 2nd 2nd/2nd 9-3
2006 8-2 16-4 2nd 2nd/1st 8-2
2007 5-1 13-5 2nd 1st/3rd 7-4
2008 4-4 8-10 7th NA/NA 4-6
2009 5-3 11-7 3rd NA/NA 6-4
2010 6-2 11-7 4th 2nd/2nd 5-5
2011 8-2 TBD TBD TBD/TBD TBD
Extra Notes:
2004: Second semester Coach Ron Pike made a switch to the starting lineup after a loss to Alberta at home. The team responded with a 5 set win, the programs first ever versus the Bears. That spurred a 9-2 record down the stretch en route to the programs first ever appearance at the National Tournament and a Bronze Medal.
2005: The programs first every appearance in both the Canada West final and the CIS National final. Same opponent and same result but the stage would be set for the following year.
2006: Going up against arguably the best CIS talent ever assembled in the undefeated Bears the Spartans won their first ever and lone CIS title to date.
2007: With arguably the best Spartan roster in the programs history and coming off a National Championship the team was rittled with injuries and had to move Josh Howatson, National Team setter, to the middle en route to the program's first Canada West title and its second bronze medal.
2008: In coach Josephson's first year with 4 freshman starters the team by the end of the season the team failed to make the National Tournament for the first time in 4 seasons. While it was a disappointment those four freshman starters (Ben Ball, Paul Lindemulder, Rudy Verhoeff and Marc Howatson) would become the core of the current cycle.
2009: After a great season and earning a host playoff berth in the 3rd position the Spartans lost to TRU in the third match of the best of three in 5. One of the most epic playoff series to date.
2010: With the freshmen from 2008 now in their 3rd years the team was poised to return to the National Tournament. After a tough three match playoff with Winnipeg the team went to Edmonton and lost in the Canada West final to Alberta in 5. Then it is return to the CIS Tournament the Spartans knocked off the undefeated #1 team in the country, Laval Rouge et Or, in the semi-final en route to the program's second National Silver Medal.
2011: With a host berth locked up to the National Tournament what remains to be seen is what kind of second semester this year's Spartan team can muster. The above table shows that any kind of record at the semester break can end in success or otherwise. It is what kind of performance and resiliency the team shows that will prove what the final outcome will be.
As evidenced by the table, all you need to do is get to the "dance" where anything can happen. The Spartans have gone into the tournament as favorites and underdogs but in all cases once at the tournament the Spartans are a force to be reckoned with. The Spartans have never NOT medalled at the National Tournament once they have been there.
BIG PLAYERS MAKE BIG PLAYS AT BIG TIMES!
Go Spartans!!!
Location:Langley, BC
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