Special thanks go out to the
TIGER PARENTS
in Dallas in record numbers to support the Tigers. Without your help and support we Tigers could not have eaten so well!
THANK YOU!!
Tigers do Dallas;
Big performances by every player
NIRSA Nationals
Dallas, Texas--April 17-20, 2002
The Tigers bonded on the court as well as off this year in Dallas with the birth of several new traditions. Among them, the Senior Salute, given by the team seniors and the Coaches Boot, bestowed upon one of the team's seniors.
There is no better feeling than seeing it all come together at the right time. While the Tigers missed superstar-superquiet middle Erik Heim, the rest of the team stepped it up and brought game to the Dallas convention center. Numerous spectators commented to Coach, Brian Bachman that "(the Tigers) have a lot of heart." Players gave it everything they had, and although it did not show in the overall results, it did show in the game scores. There was not a single team that Trinity played that didn't have to fight for every point.
vs. U. Connecticut 21-25 ; 26-24 ; 13-15
vs. Messiah 22-25 ; 20-25
vs. Southern Illinois 25-22 ; 25-15 ; 15-17*
vs. U. North Carolina 23-25 ; 25-15 ; 15-11
vs. U.California, San Diego 24-26 ; 20-25
vs. U. Oregon 25-15 ; 25-23
vs. U. Wisconsin -Eau Clair 25-21 ; 21-25 ; 10-15
Senior Outside Jeff Conrad brought the heat and lead the Tigers with inspired play. His determination palpable, Conrad stepped his game to new heights. Controlling the passing Con spoke words of encouragement to his team and unleashed the furry on the opponents. Both energetic and emotionally uplifting, Jeff took the the weight of leadership squarely on his shoulders.
Senior Setter Jeff Ray ran the floor with a dogged determination and a great court presence. Pulling his team together during breaks, JRay orchestrated a masterful offense. Letting the tigers know when they were doing well and when they needed to pick it up, DirtyRay set the best tournament of his career. Taking the mantle or responsibility squarely on his shoulders, Jeff consoled and motivated his Tiger team.
Junior Opposite Eric Barta shaved for Nationals. E-bo was all over the floor playing mad defense. He opened a bank with his money passing, setting up the Tiger offence from the beginning.
Junior Last-Minute-Middle Alan Barta may well have been the Tigers surprise player of the tournament. Forced to fill in for an errant Erik Heim, Alan, with one day to practice middle, never complained once. Alan closed every block and had some of the most memorable kills of the tournament. More than that, his passing and serving were awesome and he had numerous defensive plays that kept Trinity in matches. I think it is fair to say that EVERYONE on the team was excited, and a bit surprised, by Alan's play. Truly amazing!
Sophomore Dugan Sheehan came packing on the Outside and gave much needed fire power to the tiger offence.
Rookie Middle Bryan Quilici is BIG. Nimble as an elephant, Bryan's rocket serve and great "big-man" defense kept Trinity alive in several tight matches.
Rookie Libero Travis Thompson deposited his dimes into the bank. Though Sloppy T did choose to sleep in the closet one night, we are all excited about the potential Travis brings.
"Ehhh! What do you say now!"
GENERAL INFORMATION