The Goshen College men’s volleyball kicked off their season on Jan. 8, taking on the second ranked Campbellsville University. After taking the first two sets decisively, the Maple Leafs came up short of the upset, dropping the final three. 

The team is coming off of a promising 2020 season where they went 15-6, and 3-3 in conference before their season was cut short due to COVID-19. The Maple Leafs are looking to build onto that successful 2020 campaign in the new year. 

After their loss to open the season, Goshen bounced back to take down Trinity Christian College 3-0 on Jan. 14 and Cornerstone University 3-0 on Jan. 16, moving to 2-1 overall on the season. Senior outside hitter and Bulgarian native, Alexander Rabadzhiev was named attacker of the week for the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference for his performance this past week, posting 22 kills in two contests.

Senior teammate Micheal Wahl was also honored as WHAC setter of the week after putting up 59 assists and 14 digs in their past two games. 

Head coach Jim Daugherty said, “the early success we have been experiencing falls to our team. They as a group have been committed and working very hard on and off the court. It’s a great group of young men.” 

He also explained how he is surrounded by a great coaching staff, “I have a great coaching staff again this year too.” 

GC women’s volleyball alum, Lexa Magnuson rejoined the team as an assistant coach after helping start the program with Daugherty in 2018.

Goshen is currently tied for the lead of the conference with Indiana Tech at 2-1.

Looking ahead, the Maple Leafs have their work cut out for them as they host ninth-ranked Aquinas College on Wednesday, Jan. 27 and then travel to Adrian, Michigan to take on Siena Heights University on the 29th.