Sweet Season

The seasons are changing from fall to winter here in St. Louis. Meanwhile, the volleyball seasons are also changing from Women’s to Men’s season. Although we still have the best of the women’s season coming up – including tournaments for all four women’s divisions – let’s take our first look at the upcoming season of men’s college Volleyball.

And speaking of seasons, the song of the day is one of my favorites, “Sweet Seasons” by the unbelievable artist and performer Carole King.

“Sometimes you win sometimes you lose
And sometimes the blues just get a hold of you
Just when you thought you had made it
All around the block people will talk
But I want to give it all that I’ve got
I just don’t want, I don’t want to waste it

Talkin’ ’bout sweet seasons on my mind
Sure does appeal to me
You know you we can get there easily
Just like a sailboat a-sailin’ on the sea”

NCAA DI/DII is still the big brother of men’s college Volleyball.  Last year’s champion Loyola returns five of seven starters and is the odds on favorite.  Waiting in the wings, should Loyola falter, are Stanford, BYU, Pepperdine, Penn State, and Lewis. Play kicks off around the first of the New Year.

NCAA DIII has, so far, been the exclusive province of the Springfield Pride. The Pride, under Coach Charlie Sullivan, are also the favorites to win again this year and make it a “fourscore” of championships.  Play Begins in January and should be under way completely by mid-month.

California Community College is up for grabs, as these schools change over every two years. Orange Coast has been the perennial powerhouse in the CCCAA, but look for the Pirates of Orange Coast to be challenged by Golden West, Irvine Valley, and Grossmont. Play will begin in the CCCAA around the first of February 2015.

NAIA men will be a battle this year.  Park Pirates are the defending champion, but Concordia – Irvine and Grandview will also have strong veteran teams. There will be some real “knockdown drag outs” in the NAIA this year.  Great Volleyball here and the tournament is in St. Louis. Yahoo!!

And please, let’s grow Volleyball together!  See ya tomorrow.

Volleyball Tournament Dates in Chronological Order (Just for Review)