Sports Year in Review | Varsity sports enjoy phenomenal seasons in 2007-2008

Lillian Reuman Guest Writer

Vassar’s 2007-2008 academic year has been about a lot more than academics. It has featured stellar athletic performances by many teams, particularly the men’s basketball, men’s volleyball and men’s and women’s rugby teams. All teams set new records, boasted high winning percentages and produced athletes who went on to win league and national titles.

The men’s basketball season ended with a 18-8 winning record, the best winning percentage in Vassar College history. They qualified for Liberty League championships, where they placed second in the regular season, as well as qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) championships. “From an individual, career and team standpoint,” Head Coach Mike Dutton noted, “the past season was an extremely successful season.”

Over the course of the season, five players from the men’s basketball team were recognized as Liberty League performers of the week: Lawrence Avitabile ’08, Tyson Brazell ’08, Brian Butterworth ’09, Joey Davis ’09 and Matt Nunn ’09. Avitabile and Brazell were both 1,000-point scorers and were named to the Liberty League All-Conference team. Coaches also voted Avitabile as the Liberty League Player of the Year.

Athletes from the senior class, including Avitabile, Brazell, Daniel Forcella, Kyle Magnus and Jon Swartz, are graduating with 60 career wins, the most in Vassar history. Despite losing these players, Dutton remains positive. “With hard work, I’m confident that next year’s team has the potential to experience similar success,” he said.

The men’s volleyball team ended the season 26-7, also winning many championship titles, impressive rankings and individual recognition. The team had more wins this season than they had in the previous four seasons combined. One of 47 teams in Division III Men’s Volleyball, Vassar belongs to the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) conference, comprised of 39 schools. The Molten Invitational serves as the Division III Men’s Volleyball championship.

The Brewers won the Metro Division Championship of the NECVA conference, and then went on to capture the Conference Championship as well. They beat first-seeded University of California at Santa Cruz to advance to the final round against Springfield College at the Molten Invitational. “It was an amazing experience, and it could not have happened without all 13 guys working together,” said captain Scott Leserman ’09.

“We played a lot of teams that were individually more talented than us, but we played as a team,” commented Head Coach Jonathan Penn. “To play our best match of the year when we need it to make the final was almost unbelievable, especially in the environment of the Final Four.” They finished the season ranked second in the country, according to the CBS College Sports Network and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Men’s Volleyball Coaches poll.

Many individual players received recognition. Phil Tully ’10, the NECVA Conference Player of the Year, was named to the All-American First team. Johnny Kessinich ’09 was named a First Team All American, while Kyle Giunta ’08 was named to the All-America Second Team. Both Kessinich and Giunta received First Team All-NECVA honors. Steve Micucci ’09 was named to the Second Team All-NECVA. Additionally, Penn was named NECVA Coach of the Year. “Despite the individual achievements from this season, it really was about the team,” Penn commented.

“The trust, respect and love that permeated this team was what made it great.”

The team will return to the 2008-2009 season with five of their current seven starters. “We’re bringing in a solid recruiting class,” Leserman noted. “It looks to be another great season for us.”

The men’s rugby team, currently 12-3, also had an exciting run this year. The team was unable to advance to Nationals in the Fall 2007 season due to a disappointing loss to Middlebury College, the defending Division III champions. But the Brewers have rebounded and placed second in the Metropolitan New York Conference this past fall.

Powerhouse seniors, as well as incoming freshmen, have boosted success. Captain Garrett King ’08 scored 12 tries this season, the most for any forward on the team. “He has had a phenomenal season,” Head Coach Tony Brown noted. “We’ve also had an exciting freshman class.” Most players come with no experience, so the team relies on pure athleticism.

“A young lad, Garrett Montgomery ’11, tackles well and is a good athlete and evasive runner,” said Brown. “He’s expected to start as scrumhalf next season.” In addition, Iain Gordon ’11 “has really come on and leaped some bounds. He’s a great physical presence.”

“Next season should be great,” Omar Fayyaz ’09 predicted. “We’re losing a lot of big-time seniors, but our freshman class is filled with guys who are both eager to and capable of stepping into their shoes.”

The men’s team spent a portion of the season preparing the women’s team for their run at Nationals. “Our coach taught us Navy’s style of play so that the women would know what to expect” at Nationals, Fayyaz said.

The women’s rugby team currently boasts a record of 13-4. They have been in the Top 20 National Collegiate Rankings all season, and at one point they were ranked as high as seventh place.

The team beat Air Force and Army in the fall and went on to qualify for Nationals this spring. Though they lost to Navy in the first round of 16, Brown called the team “the best of the rest.”
“I could mention every single member of the squad,” said Brown. “Everyone improved enormously.” Captain Elise Okusami ’08, who has played flyhalf for two years, really stands out in Brown’s mind. “She has been superb,” said Brown. “

She has the best hands of both [the men’s and women’s] teams. She has worked so hard on her own to become a tower of strength.”

Four individual players were nominated for All-American: Okusami, Danielle Goodman-Levy ’09, Marlo Messer ’08 and Keri Peacock, ’11.

This year has seen multiple teams advance to National Championships, and many athletes have been recognized on a national level. The soaring team support and spirit can only pave the way for more success in the future.