Wentworth Institute of Technology: Athletics > Varsity Sports

With all but two players returning from a 2006 campaign that saw the Wentworth men’s volleyball team post a disappointing 4-24 record, the Leopards looked to take a step forward and compete for a playoff berth from the NECVA New England Division, one of the more competitive divisions within the league.

Having closed out 2006 with an 11-match losing streak, Wentworth’s luck would not change as the Leopards started 2007 losing their next seven to push the losing streak to 18 matches. The streak would end when Wentworth won its first match in nearly a calendar year with an exciting, 3-2 win at Elms, and won its second consecutive match two nights later against Lesley.

Playing a stretch against three nationally ranked foes, the Leopards would drop their next five contests before defeating Southern Vermont. That, however, would be the last victory for Wentworth, as a four-match losing streak sealed a 3-16 season.

Sophomore Justin Kalinkewicz (Scotia, N.Y.) averaged 3.61 kills per game, hit .271, and averaged 1.98 digs, while playing in 59 of Wentworth’s 67 games. Junior Dan Tessier (Pawtucket, R.I.) played in all but one game and averaged 2.77 kills and 0.82 blocks per game.

Junior Jonathan Swick (Pembroke, Mass.) averaged 2.15 digs, while senior Chris Zacchilli (Milford, Mass.) averaged 5.49 assists per game and 2.03 digs per game. Sophomore Jeff DeMartin (Cambridge, Mass.) averaged 2.27 digs in a solid defensive showing.

Looking Ahead

Wentworth loses one player from this past season, but will also be playing for a new coach in 2008, as Jason Jeffers stepped down at the conclusion of the season after five seasons as the head coach. He will continue to coach Wentworth’s women’s volleyball squad.

“I have enjoyed my time as head of the men’s volleyball program,” said Jeffers. “But, with my full-time job responsibilities changing, I can no longer coach two sports. I look forward to staying involved in the Wentworth volleyball community as the women’s coach and as a supporter of the men’s volleyball team.”

Schedule

Wentworth plays 10 matches within the framework of the NECVA, against such teams as Rivier, Endicott, Lasell, and Johnson & Wales. To keep a competitive schedule, Wentworth competes against several NECVA schools a second time, as well as against a handful of out-of-region opponents.

History

After several seasons of competing against varsity and club teams in the New England Collegiate Volleyball League, Wentworth joined the newly-formed NECVA in 1997-98 and captured back to back New England Division crowns in 1998 and 1999. The 2000 season saw two firsts for the program: a national ranking and a berth in the conference championship match.

Meet the Coaching Staff

Nam Phan (Brandeis ’05) enters his first season as the head coach of the Wentworth men’s volleyball team. A former Wentworth player in 2002, he has vast experience coaching at the club and high school level. He will be assisted by Nhut Chau (Rivier ’06), a former standout setter for Rivier College.