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Dominican University’s men’s volleyball looking to return to NCAA tournament
Senior Adrian Cebula looking for a kill during Dominican's 3-2 win against Carthage College on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020. (Courtesy: Dominican University Athletics)

Dominican University’s men’s volleyball looking to return to NCAA tournament

RIVER FOREST, Ill. (BVM) — Dominican University’s men’s volleyball team is looking to return to the NCAA tournament this season, after reaching the Final Four last year. 

If the Stars make it, it will be the fourth time reaching the tournament in program history. The team made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 2017, just three years after the program’s conception in 2014. The Stars lost in the first round in four sets, 3-1, against Stevens Institute of Technology. 

The team reached the NCAA tournament once again just a year later and not only made it through the first round, but to the Final Four for the first time in program history. They beat Hunter College in a straight three-set win in the first round. They beat No. 2 Carthage in four sets, 3-1, in the Sweet 16. In the Final Four match, the Stars lost once again to Stevens Institute of Technology in five sets, 2-3. 

In their spring 2021 season, the Stars once again returned to the NCAA tournament. They beat No. 2 Vassar College in a straight three-set match in the quarterfinals to earn a spot in the Final Four for the second time in program history. Dominican faced No. 1 Carthage and lost three straight sets, sending them home just shy of a chance at winning the NCAA championship. 

Head coach Cameron Andrew, in his third season as the men’s volleyball head coach and his fifth season as the women’s volleyball head coach, is hoping to lead the Stars back to the NCAA tournament this season. Andrew has led the Stars to success in the past, and he is looking to do it again this year. 

In his inaugural season as head coach, Andrew led the Stars to a 13-2 record, with a 12-game winning streak to start off the season before it was cut short due to COVID-19. 

In his second season, the Stars earned a 17-2 record, secured the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) title, and a berth in the NCAA tournament, which led to their second appearance in the Final Four in their loss against Carthage.  

Returning players are ready for another successful season as well. 

Senior outside hitter Trey Cowan is one of them. The Plainfield, Illinois native was selected to the NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball Championship All-Tournament team for his performance during the 2021 NCAA tournament. He hit .293 percent, combining for 19 kills across two matches. Cowan also recorded nine digs and two service aces in the tournament, in addition to having two blocks and collecting a total of 22 points.

Senior middle hitter Mat Molloy is another. The Chicago native earned Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC) second-team honors by leading the NACC in blocks per set (2.52). Molloy was also ranked second in the conference with 47 total blocks on the season. 

Cowan, Molloy and other returning players hope to bring home an NCAA championship this season. 

The team kicks off its 2022 season against Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. CST.