Stevenson hosted the Beach Collegiate Challenge this past weekend drawing in schools from around the country. Stevenson had three pairs participate in this tournament – one pair cementing themselves in the history for the men’s beach volleyball team.
Stevenson’s first pair was fourth-year Tim Flanagan and graduate student John Ferraro. The duo started the tournament placed as the seventh seed out of 32 teams.
To start the tournament, they would go 3-0 in pool play without dropping a set. Flanagan and Ferrero looked unbeatable heading into the playoffs. The duo would advance to the playoffs but lose to Wentworth Institute of Technology’s (WIT) second team in three sets. WIT would go on to finish fourth in the tournament.
Fourth-year Jacob Sledz and third-year Kevin Kouchoukos create the pair for the third team. They came into the tournament as the 17th seed and finished tied for 17th. The duo would go 1-3 over the weekend, earning a win over Vassar’s third team in their last match of pool play. They would go on to play WIT in the first round of playoffs but would unfortunately come up short.
Second-year Anthony Pezzino and fourth-year Ryan Thenell spearheaded the second team, and started the weekend as the 21st seed. Thenell and Pezzino would start off 2-0 as they went on to face their biggest threat in Webber International University (WIU) as WIU was ranked as the number five seed in the tournament. This game presented them with a chance to go undefeated and automatically go into the second round of the playoffs.
“I think that pressure is what enabled Ant and I to make the biggest comeback I’ve ever made in my volleyball career. Down 18 to 13 while down a set to the first seed in our pool,” Thenell said.
They won that match in three sets, then would go onto face NGU’s second team in the second round. Thenell and Pezzino would win that match in three sets then go onto meet their successor and eventual winner of the tournament Lewis/LMU. The pair would lose the match in two sets.
“It’s a pretty good feeling getting fifth and being the first Stevenson pair to make to Sunday in this event ever. Also, it’s a good feeling for both Ryan and I and set the standard for what’s to come for the rest of the season,” Pezzino said.
Thenell and Pezzino first became partners halfway through last year’s season. They have built great chemistry and partnership for the time being. The duo looks to build off last year’s success as it seemed to carry over this past weekend.
“It is awesome to see Ryan and Anthony showcase their talent and all of the hard work that they have put in so far this season. They have built a great partnership with each other since first becoming partners halfway through last season,” head coach Ian Capp said.
Capp is entering his second year of being head coach for the Men’s Beach Volleyball team and is looking for this year to be the best season the team has ever had.
“The team and I expect nothing less than success,” Capp said. “We have worked so hard this pre-season, and we have a deeper roster than we have ever had to come up short this season. We will continue to practice hard and efficiently to make sure that this is the best season yet.”
The team opens its season on Sept. 27 where they host Liberty University and Erskine College at Mustang Beach. The Mustangs will play Liberty at 2 p.m. and then Erskine at 8 p.m.
