Men’s Volleyball ranked seventh in AMCC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
NORTH BOSTON, N.Y. --- Carlow University men’s volleyball ranked seventh in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the league announced Jan. 8.
NORTH BOSTON, N.Y. --- Carlow University men's volleyball ranked seventh in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Jan. 8.
Last season the Celtics went 3-18 overall and 0-9 in AMCC action.
Interim Head Coach Stephen Smietana takes the reigns this year after the program's inaugural head coach, Val Pennington, resigned in the fall. The Celtics kicked off the 2025 season with a 3-0 loss to Bethany (W. Va.) College on the road Jan. 23.
Smietana scrambled to assemble a team, with sophomore setter Ryan Callahan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area HS) one of the returning players to watch. Last season, Callahan appeared in all 21 matches for the Celtics and tallied 107 digs, 88 assists, 39 kills and 16 service aces on the year. He ranked second on the team in total aces and fourth in total kills.
Penn State Behrend was selected by league coaches to finish at the top of the men's volleyball conference standings in 2025. AMCC men's volleyball newcomer Buffalo State University and Penn State Altoona are expected to tie for the second spot to round out the top three teams in the league.
Hilbert College senior outside hitter Brad Converse was tabbed as the AMCC Men's Volleyball Preseason Player of the Year. Converse has been one of the strongest options for the Hawks for the last three years and continued his dominance last year. He recorded 226 kills, hitting .229, with 44 assists, 33 aces, 152 digs, 20 blocks and 273 total points. He was an AMCC all-conference second team selection in 2024.
Hear more from Coach Smietana, Callahan and Jaden Michalski (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy) in the Carlow Sports Network Season Preview with Sean Meyers below: