Providence Pilots men’s team back on top of MCAC volleyball standings

The names and numbers carrying the on-court load may be different, but the Providence Pilots men’s volleyball team is in a familiar spot after seven games in the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference season.

After dropping their home opener, the Pilots rattled off four in a row, including a straight sets victory over Assiniboine College Nov. 21.

While Providence dropped the re-match the next day in five sets, they still lead the MCAC standings, with a 5-2 record. It’s a strong start for a group dealing with the departure of several key veterans.

Grunthal’s Noah Boschman had been the go-to offensive option for the past three years but graduated at the end of last season. International players Arturo Duran (Honduras) and Sebastian Verdaguer (Australia) have also moved on, with Verdaguer continuing his collegiate career at the USports level with the University of Winnipeg.

“We did lose some top end talent, but we’ve got a ton of guys that are contributing this year,” head coach Paul Armbruster said.

“We’ve got a lot of depth in this group… We’re trying to grow in playing consistently. We had a guy hit 100 % in the first set and hit minus-20 in the second set.”

Those departures have left room for others to step up and contribute.

“I’ve been super happy with the group’s hunger and learning,” Armbruster said.

“We’re in our 13th week of the semester, and we’re continuing to get a little bit better. I’ve really liked our demeanour and attitude as a group.”

Setter Marcus Zeilstra (Niverville), Libero Kade Lepp (Steinbach Christian), middle Liam Buhler (Steinbach Christian) and left side Jesse Vanden Berg (Winkler’s Garden Valley) are the team’s leadership group this year.

Armbruster said the team is getting great leadership contributions from outside of the designated captains.

“We have been getting a lot of guys trying to push themselves, trying to encourage one another towards being their best everyday,” Armbruster said.

“I think we have some solid leadership here this year.”

Atmosphere for Providence volleyball matches inside the Niverville Resource and Rec Centre has taken a step up this year, with the game against Assiniboine featuring a vocal performance from the school’s women’s soccer team.

“It was pretty loud in here tonight, we’re grateful for Pilots nation and their support,” Armbruster said.

The women’s team has taken a slight stumble early in the season, with three losses and a current third place spot in the standings.

The Pilots are back in Niverville this weekend, taking on CMU for games Nov. 28 and 29.