Camden Hyde
Gonzales eyes the ball in the back row.
The No. 7 California Lutheran University Kingsmen volleyball team narrowly fell to the No. 16 Division I Gauchos of the University of California, Santa Barbara in five sets last Tuesday (27-25, 25-23, 28-26, 25-18, 15-10). Fifth-year outside hitter Ben Weber made program history by becoming the first player to reach 1000 career kills.
Head Coach Kevin Judd said playing great competition allows the team to prepare for postseason play and display how well the team can handle a Division I serve and pass.
“This is just a great opportunity for us to test how well we can do that and also punch back and hit with them,” Judd said.
The first set went back and forth, but the Kingsmen took the win in extra points 27-25. UCSB responded with a narrow 25-23 win in the second set. The Kingsmen managed to take the third set in a 28-26 extra-point win but then fell short in the fourth set 25-18, and eventually lost the fifth set 15-10.
“Just the fact that we were able to swing with these guys was a big testament to how good we are as a team,” Weber said.
Fith-year right side Michael Stahl, who finished with a game-high 22 kills, credited the team’s ability to sway the flow of the game with not only being able to handle the serve and pass, but also control it. The Gauchos bounced back in the second set to win, but not without a late push from the Kingsmen to force a timeout.
“I think we handled their serves and their swings pretty well,” Stahl said.
This year, Division III has adopted a new system of determining postseason qualifiers known as the NCAA Power Index or NPI, according to Judd. Judd said different categories are used to determine which teams are given an opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament, with many favoring programs playing within a conference. Judd said that while the NPI concerns him, the Kingsmen have aspirations of making a run at back-to-back national championships.
“This NPI format really scares me as an independent program,” Judd said. “You know just get out there, take it one match at a time, and see what we can do and how far we can go.”
Because the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doesn’t currently host men’s volleyball, the Kingsmen must resort to playing independently every year against an assortment of teams across the nation. Outside hitter Jordan Cooper said playing UCSB is highly beneficial to the team’s success.
“Games like this help us prepare for that and you know that’s the best team we’re going to play all year,” Cooper said.
“It gives our whole team a sense of confidence going into the tournament,” Weber said.
Weber said reaching 1000 career kills is not only an individual honor but something the program can celebrate as a whole.
“It’s pretty awesome. The fact that I was able to do it with this team and all the guys. I love these guys, they’re all brothers to me. It’s been a great career here, I love Cal Lu and I appreciate everything,” Weber said.
Stahl and Cooper both agreed Weber has been a backbone for the team in his time wearing purple and gold.
“He’s been doing it all year. Most consistent player on the team, so we rely on him heavy and he showed up tonight for sure,” Cooper said.
Stahl said even when emotions run high, Weber is there to keep the team on track.
“Definitely the head of the team, he gets us going and when we’re lacking, he’s right there, level-headed,” Stahl said.
Though the night resulted in a loss, Judd said there were many positives to take away from this match as the team nears postseason play with Ben Weber at the helm.
“Just a testament of hard work and doing a great job, so proud of him,” Judd said. “As much as I like going five with a DI program, I mean this right here is more important to me. A milestone for the program and for such a great kid in Ben Weber.”