EIVA Recognizes Volleyball’s Versatile Prowess
Loretto, Pa. (April 17, 2008) - Saint Francis University volleyball team had two conference nominations cast their way in sophomores Nick Rivett (Pittsburgh, Pa / Fox Chapel) and Jordan Varee (Meadville, Pa / Conneaut Valley). The dangerous duo was named to the 2008 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Second Team. Rivett and Varee were each given this accolade in recognition for their strong performance on the court throughout the year.
Varee paced the 2008 Flash with 417 total kills (eight away from tying Marc Honore’s 2007 record of 425 and 29 service aces (T-5th all-time in a single season). The 417 kills that Varee recorded this season rank him second in the school’s single season record books, behind recently graduated volleyball standout Marc Honore. In addition to Varee’s flirtation with resetting the single-season record books, the Meadville, Pa. native has also accumulated 159 digs and 68 blocks thus far in 2008.
Rivett directed the team with 160 digs and finished second on the team with 372 kills. Rivett’s kill total ranks him third in the record books for a single billet. Rivett also racked up 17 service aces, as well as throwing down 48 blocks throughout the year.
On the other side of the court, two Saint Francis University men’s volleyball student-athletes have been named to the 2008 EIVA All-Academic Team. Sophomores Patrick McManamom (Huntington, Pa / Huntington) and David Reilly (Yardley, Pa / Pennsbury) received their first career conference honors. McManamom, a chemistry major, attained this honor by achieving a 3.51 cumulative GPA. Reilly achieved the honor as well by holding a 3.63 GPA in his respective major of accounting.
McManamom stood out during the year, accumulating 114 kills and a superb hitting average of .346. He also threw down 18 service aces and collected 104 blocks throughout the year. The 6’6 hitter now sits in fifth place in a single season for his net obstruction.
Reilly impressed the DeGol faithful throughout the year serving up 232 kills and 14 service aces. He also helped the Red Flash by accumulating 37 blocks and 1.49 digs per game, evening out to 127 digs, total, throughout the year.
In order to achieve EIVA All-Academic Team status, the student-athlete must not be a freshman, must have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher, and must have participated in at least 60% of the games played by their team.
Saint Francis will host New York University at 7 pm on Saturday, April 19th at Degol Arena in the quarterfinal match up of the EIVA tournament. The winner of this contest will advance to play in the semi-finals, which will be hosted at Penn State University on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at Rec Hall.