Men’s Volleyball Team Wins First-Ever Game

The UWSP men’s volleyball team won its first game in the program’s history against Lakeland University.

The game took place in the Berg Gymnasium on Jan. 18.

“They took two [sets] and we took three [sets]. Super excitingly, to end the last set, we finished with two blocks,” said Kyle Smith, a team captain and middle blocker on the team.

Smith said the last set normally ends at 15 points. However, continued scoring by both teams and a need to win by two points drove the score higher until UWSP won the last set. It was what they needed to win the game.

Head Men’s Volleyball Coach Philippe Abiad said the atmosphere of the first game was electric and that the support from students and staff was overwhelming.

“I was touched by the energy, appreciation, excitement, and the sense of pride the players exuberated,” said Abiad.

Abiad said the joy, gratitude, and exhaustion in the players’ eyes said it all at the end of the match. He said the coaching staff couldn’t have been prouder of the team’s commitment to the program.

Men’s volleyball is a new NCAA sport at UWSP. The Jan. 18 game was the first in program history.

“It’s super cool,” Smith said. “We are the first public school in Wisconsin to have a men’s volleyball team. It is a very unique opportunity.”

Smith says that playing for a varsity level volleyball team is not something he thought he would do in college. He is proud to be a member of the first-ever NCAA men’s volleyball team at UW-Stevens Point.

When he was younger, Smith said he would watch his parents play in a volleyball league every Thursday night. There, his interest in volleyball started. He first started playing competitively during his junior year of high school.

Smith enjoys how fun volleyball is. He also said that he appreciates having teammates he can play on the court with and bond with.

The next home game is on Tuesday, March 5, against Concordia University Chicago. It will start at 6 p.m. in the Berg Gymnasium.

“I’m excited for the rest of this year,” Smith said. “It’s going to be a fun team, and it’s going to be a good program.”

Jack Orlando

News Reporter

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