“There’s been a lot more energy behind us this year,” said Travis Abele, a sophomore business administration major from Mechanicsville, Virginia. “Last year we were that bubble team: Were we in or were we out? It literally came down to a couple points. This year, we’re fighting for a one- or a two-seed for the big dance, so it’s been a complete 180 from an unknown to, ‘It’s in our hands.’”

The Royals played their last home stand to a large and enthusiastic crowd March 24, thumping Alvernia University 3-0, but then lost at Juniata College on Tuesday, which puts the now Eastern Mennonite to 19-8 on the season, including 8-3 in the (CVC). The team ends the regular season with four more straight road matches, starting today [March 31] at Cairn University.

The team aims to secure the program’s first-ever bid into the four-team CVC Tournament. But they’ve already made history, having equaled the 2002 and 2006 teams for the second-most wins in program history. The 2007 squad finished 22-11 and is the only 91����Ƶ team to earn more than 20 wins.

Culture change and communication

The Royals’ ongoing success hasn’t just happened; it’s built on what sole senior , a business major from Richmond, sums up in one word: “Chemistry.”

It’s cultural, players say: In addition to having high expectations, they know what it takes to work together — and win — as a team. That’s because six members are from the Richmond area, where they played together on teams or at least in pickup games; two others also have backgrounds in a common club.

Interim head coach said that knowing each others’ individual strengths and vulnerabilities makes for a tight team. “They have to know exactly how their teammates will react to the play, within half a second,” he said.

It also takes direct, verbal communication. Junior , a biochemistry major from Richmond, remembers a players’ meeting near the end of last year’s season that put things into perspective for the team: every last member needed to be all-in. That meeting strengthened the team for the remainder of that season, he thinks, and the spirit has carried over into this year.

Brigham calls it “not beating around the bush.” He said that if something’s not working, the team comes together to improve.

“No one’s afraid to step up and say, ‘We’ve got to change something now.’ And usually everyone gets on board, everyone hears each other out, and usually decisions are made within about five minutes,” said sophomore , of Mechanicsville.

“We’re on mission,” said Madden. “When guys want the same things, that’s what brings them together. That’s really what has helped us this year come together as a team. We want to win.”

Accountability matters

But there’s more to the story, too, which Madden is quick to point out: “A lot of them are best friends. A lot of them are living together. They eat meals together. They take classes together. They’re each other’s best friends. It’s pretty awesome.”

That’s not just the coach’s perspective. Buller calls the group “close-knit.”

Abele goes even further: “You start to lose the word ‘team’ and start migrating to ‘family,’” he said. “We’re not afraid to be big brothers for everyone else. But it happens both ways. We each have that big brother mentality.”

This has meant sitting down with teammates who are struggling, and not just on the court. When one teammate started missing classes, “we literally all ganged up on him one day in a nice way and were like, ‘It’s got to stop,’” said Abele. “I don’t think he’s missed a class since. That’s the kind of accountability we have.”

When the team comes together around a “slipping” teammate, “it’s not him punishing him per se, but like us coming together and saying, ‘Come on, we got you,’” said Brigham.

“Because in the long run, it could affect all of us,” said Buller. “School’s always first, and if that slips, then the team starts to slip. If they’re not there, then it hurts the team.”

Ultimately, Brigham says, the experience is teaching teammates about how to work together, how to analyze a situation, and decide when and if it’s necessary to step into a mediation or leadership role.

That’s a different approach from just blind pursuit of glory; it’s unselfish volleyball. To Madden, that separates the “greats” from the “goods.”

“Players that really want to celebrate another teammate’s success are hard to come by,” he said. “Great teammates take pride in each other, even if it means you won’t get the ball.”

That kind of teamwork, for these particular athletes, has made all the difference — on and off the court.

Taylor gave a stellar performance last weekend during 91����Ƶ’s home tri-match. As 91����Ƶ’s setter, Taylor averaged 10.29 assists per set over the two matches. In a sweep against Lancaster Bible, he averaged 12.00 assists per set, leading the Royals to hit .492 as a team, their highest total in three years. In a four-set loss to D-II King University, Taylor set a career high with two solo blocks and tied his career high with four blocks in total. Offensively, he put up another 36 assists. The sophomore is currently leading the Continental Volleyball Conference with 9.85 assists per set.

Taylor explains that getting in the weight room during the offseason set him up for this impressive start.

“One of the things that I did this offseason was get in the weight room five to six times a week to better prepare myself for this season,” he said. “After putting on fifteen pounds this past offseason I feel much stronger, as compared to last season, and that has helped me take my game to a new level.” With the resignation of former head coach Dominic Porter, the team was left without a coach for a crucial time during the offseason just prior to the start of practice. Taylor feels that during that period, the players made strides forward as a unit.

“During that short time without a coach, the team really came together for one common goal,” Taylor said. “That goal was to start a winning tradition here at 91����Ƶ.” At the start of the season, the Royals sit at 2-2 under new interim coach Ross Madden, and 2-0 against D-III opponents.

“Coach Ross Madden has always been known around the volleyball world as a winner and he is doing the right things in order to get us to that point this season,” Taylor said. Despite being an underclassman, Madden named him a captain during the early stages of the season.

“Christian is one of the hardest working and kindest gentlemen attending 91����Ƶ,” said Madden. “He shows great sportsmanship on the court. I’ve seen Christian give five to opponents who made impressive plays. That’s the kind of person you want calling the plays, which as setter, is Christian’s responsibility.”

“Being named a captain as a sophomore has been a huge honor to me,” Taylor said. “Being a leader of this team is something that I take great pride in.” Taylor is a double major in Business Administration and Recreational Leadership and Sport Promotion. He plans to work in athletics after graduating and says that collegiate athletics have helped him immensely.

“Playing volleyball has taught me key leadership and communication skills that have helped me become a better student in the classroom here at 91����Ƶ,” said Taylor.

While the players have a high level of continuity, one of the bigger storylines for the season could be how the team adjusts to Interim Coach Ross Madden, who took over the program just in time for preseason practices. Madden is excited to add what he calls “new beginning” to the strong group of experienced players brought in by previous coach Dominick Porter, who went 38-36 in his three seasons at his alma mater.

91����Ƶ finished 12-12 last year, just missing the four-team Continental Volleyball Conference tourney with a 5-7 record. Madden is optimistic that the Royals can finish over .500 and take the CVC Tournament head on.

“Returning pretty much the whole team means we are already used to playing together and in most cases living together,” Madden states. “Honestly, it’s a huge load off my back to have knowledgeable players in the weight room and on the court. We have several players that can structure great workout routines and many smart players that I trust to teach each other the right things.”

Last year’s young group has a high ceiling as they averaged 11.60 kills per set, the most in three years. The team returns 10 players from that 2016 season, so the experience and knowledge on the court will be of importance.

“That experience hopefully equates to playing well as a team especially under pressure, but we are still a young, talented team with a lot to improve,” Madden added on the current state of the team. “We have the talent to be a volleyball powerhouse in the years to come.”

Within the team itself, Madden notes a few key players that will help carry the Royals to their ultimate goal. Setter (Richmond, Va./Deep Run) is seen to be one of the leaders on the court for the 2017 Royals.

“We have great leadership returning from several pin hitters, and Christian, who started at the setter position as a freshman last year, is looking to lead the team through a great season,” said Madden. While Taylor is young, he put up big numbers for the Royals last season, finishing 13th in the nation with 10.01 assists per game as a freshman.

“Christian is an important piece of the puzzle. He sets the plays and runs the offense, while any of our outsides run the defense from the middle back,” Madden added.

On the young team, comprised mostly of sophomores and a few juniors, (Montpelier, Va./Patrick Henry) is the lone senior and looks to be a leader with both experience and power for the Royals. The outside hitter was 26th in the nation last season with 3.43 kills per set. He also led the team with a total of 237 kills. A powerful attacker, Brigham has averaged 3.29 kills or better in each of his three seasons. He also had 113 digs.

“Scott is our only returning senior and his experience will be invaluable on the passing line,” Madden added.

Taylor and Brigham are looked at by Madden as the leaders on the court for the Royals, considering their experience and notable accomplishments in previous seasons. Aside from their play, he will look upon the duo to be vocal leaders on the court.

“These players need to be loud and chatty on the court in order to keep the team on the same page,” said Madden.

Among the many returners, there are notable players that put up outstanding numbers last year for the Royals. Outside hitter (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) notched 99 kills, averaging 2.06 per set. The experienced junior will be looked upon as an offensive leader this upcoming season. Sophomore (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis) came onto the scene last season and made an immediate impact. He landed 183 kills in his freshman season (2.47 per set) and led the team with 149 digs. He will look to have his role increased and to put up higher numbers as he improves on the court for the Royals.

Another player expecting to take an offensive leadership role is outside hitter (North Chesterfield, Va./Thomas Dale). The junior collected 149 kills and 141 digs for the Royals last season.

Junior (Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) and sophomore (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) will not get many breaks on a team thin in middles. Lutz notched 102 kills and 64 blocks last season, displaying a major impact on both sides of the net. Also back is junior libero (Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman), who was third on last year’s balanced team with 137 digs. With a full set of returning starters, Madden expects to simply work his newcomers into positions of need. One such adjustment is (Glen Allen, Va./Deep Run), who is learning a role as the backup setter.

Madden is optimistic, claiming one of the main goals for the team is to stay healthy for the entirety of the season.

“I believe we will be a very sound group overall and if we take care of ourselves and remain injury free, we can fill in the cracks and be very hard to beat,” Madden added. The goals are set high for the Royals, per Madden, and the formula is simple, yet important for the team to reach the CVC Tournament, a feat that has been challenging in seasons past.

“If we want to make the CVC for the first time we need to stay healthy and happy as a team through the cold winter months,” Madden stated. “When the CVC season and then tournament finally rolls around, the team that still has fire in their belly and passion for the game in their heart will come out on top.”

Madden believes that the chances for the experienced team are promising, but will require a focused group effort in order to carry out the ultimate goal.

“The men are excited for the fresh start they have with a new coach,” Madden added. “I’d love to help develop a sense of pride within our volleyball team that spreads to the school and community, and I feel like we are building on something very good.”

The Royals start their 2017 campaign on Saturday with a doubleheader against Emmanuel (Ga.) and future CVC-rival Southern Virginia. The first match starts at 10:00am.