The Goshen men’s volleyball team is set to begin their 2025 season on Jan. 23 at Judson University. The team has just three incoming first-year additions and will play their final season with Pablo Sanchez, the team’s only senior player.
Jeff Phillips, the director of volleyball, spoke on the eagerness for the teams season debut. “You kind of get tired of playing yourself … You can only simulate game reps [for] so long before it gets kind of boring and kind of tedious,” said Phillips. He also noted that the team is working better together this season than they have previously. “They’re in a better place all the way around, both from a volleyball standpoint and just overall relationship standpoint.”Andrea Biffi, a first-year middle backer, is excited to play his first game as a Maple Leaf. “It’s one of the first times that we can play all together,” Biffi said.
He also spoke on the passion and dedication amongst his fellow teammates: “I can see that some of my teammates are really competitive during practices …they are really energetic and they express this energy not only on the court, but also outside of the court.”
Igor Sapucaia, sophomore setter, has high admiration for the men’s volleyball team. Sapucaia spoke on his passion for volleyball and how competing in the states has “always been [his] dream.”
He said, “Being part of such a great program has been inspiring to me and it’s like a dream coming true.”
Sapucaia also described the camaraderie of the Maple Leafs: “I feel like everyone is excited to be there. We laugh so much during practice.”
Sanchez, a senior libero, noticed a significant shift in the team this year. Sanchez spoke on the heavily first-year and sophomore concentrated team. He said “It’s exciting because this is a very new team that we have, a very young team.” He mentioned the team’s workload in preparation for this upcoming season and the importance of “getting to know our bodies and how you can push yourself as an individual.”
The Maple Leafs will play their first home game in the Ruth Gunden Gymnasium on Feb. 7 against Georgetown College.
Both the Maple Leafs and members of the coaching staff will look to the Goshen College community for support in what they hope will be the 2025 season’s first home win.
