Recap of 1999 Season

The Colonials are winners of five titles in 10 years, and they are the only team at Southampton Graduate Campus that faces teams in all three NCAA divisions. Because of the Colonials' past success, the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) pits them against some of the best programs in the country: perennial powerhouse Penn State, 1998 Division I-II Final Four contender Princeton and 1999 Division III Final Four contender Juniata. Last year, Southampton Graduate Campus, with an undergraduate enrollment of 1500, beat teams from big universities like Harvard, MIT and NYU.

"Obviously, it's difficult to match the resources of schools that are so much larger us," said Athletic Director Mary Topping. "But our coaches and players bring a great deal of dedication to the gym. Commitment and a winning attitude make a significant difference." Some players have buoyed their Southampton Graduate Campus volleyball success into professional careers. Most recently, Mike Salak ('97) and Kyle Robinson ('98) have joined teams in Belgium. Salak has the Colonials career mark in kills (2305), service aces (318) and digs (837). Robinson's amazing .425 kill percentage also is a record.

Coach Scott Gleason lost Kevin Nelmes of North Bellmore, N.Y., to graduation in 1999. Nelmes and returning Ben Hill of Midlothian, Va., each won post-season awards from the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA).

Nelmes, a 6-4 outside hitter and co-captain for the Colonials, was selected to the EIVA All-East Second Team, and was named a Division II All Star. He concluded his career with 1327 kills, which ranks him fifth on Southampton's all-time list. Nelmes was also an EIVA All Division II selection in 1998.

Hill, a 6-6 middle hitter, was named to the EIVA All-East Academic Team. Of the nine players selected to the Academic Team, Hill is one of the only student-athletes who does not attend the larger schools such as Princeton, NYU or Penn State. In 1999, he led Southampton with 85 games played, and finished second with 192 kills and 407 attempts. Southampton Graduate Campus last year completed its 10th intercollegiate season, and finished 14-12 overall, 4-3 in the EIVA Thomas Hay Division, and 9-1 at home. Their only home loss came in this year's EIVA playoffs on April 13, when the 7th-seeded Colonials were defeated in the quarterfinal s by 8th-seeded Concordia.

Some of the highlights of 1999? "Kevin Nelmes breaking 1000 kills, being undefeated at home during the regular season," listed Coach Scott Gleason. "Beating Concordia in three games [on March 4] and shutting out NYU in game two at home [on March 24]. People's jaws dropped."

Senior Mike Mielcarz has fond memories of 1999. "We crushed Concordia at home," he said, "and then there was the Springfield game when we packed the stands with fans and they were so loud that whenever they screamed, I had chills going down my spine and I got goose bumps. It's great to play in front of people, and I think that if we get fans coming to all of our big games this year that are loud and rowdy, then we will do very well."

"The best part of the 1999 season," the coach added, "was that we were so much better at the end than at the beginning. It's a good sign for 2000."

The 2000 Colonials. Back row (l-r): Coach Scott Gleason, Mike Mielcarz, Jason Miller, Ben Hill, Jeff Vaikness, Pete Wawrzyniak, Chris Kies, Adam Stempel, Scott Schult and Coach Kevin DesLauries. Bottom row: Joe Daigler, John Lenihan, Brian McGee and Bryan Livingston.

Outlook for the 2000 Season

The Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regrouped its three divisions this year by the quality of the teams. For those who have been following Southampton College of Long Island University men's volleyball in the '90s, it's no surprise that the Colonials are ranked among the Northeast's best programs.

This year, teams in the EIVA have to be on their toes. Come in last place in the prestigious Tait Division and a team will be dropped to the intermediate Hay Division, for example. Also, everyone in a division plays each other twice, home and away, rather than the previous requirement of once a year.

In the top Tait Division will be Southampton Graduate Campus, Penn State, Princeton, George Mason, New Jersey Tech, Rutgers, Juniata and Concordia. The Hay Division will include teams Southampton Graduate Campus has to play once in 2000, like New York University, Vassar and SUNY-New Paltz ? three squads that were ranked in the top 10 in Division III last year. The winner or the Odeneal Division, which includes Columbia, Harvard and MIT, can play the role of spoiler in the EIVA playoffs April 22-29.

"We are going to have to learn to raise our level of intensity and our level of play in order to compete with the best teams," said coach Scott Gleason. "We have a young team and will start some freshman. A key will be seeing how they handle the pressure of big matches."

Added sophomore Jason Miller: "To me this season looks great, especially chemistry-wise. We may have lost some great volleyball players in 1999, but hopefully our chemistry and hard work will pay off during the 2000 season."

Not that the 2000 Colonials are without stars. "We have a lot of young, talented players," Gleason said. "I think Chris Keyes will be an All-East player for us this year."

The coach's analysis: "Based on our preseason, we need to block and dig the ball better in order to slow down the offenses of the stronger teams. Our single biggest question mark will be receiving the ball; unless we improve our passing we may find it rough going against the big boys, like Penn State, Juniata and the Midwest teams."

"We're ready to handle the challenge of playing the country's top teams," said junior captain John Lenihan. "Last year we faced IPFW and Lewis University. They were about the same caliber teams as Penn State.

"Some positives for 2000 include our four new rookies, three of whom are possible starters," Lenihan added. "If they do not start they add a lot of power off the bench.

"We'll need to stay focused on each game at a time and not get overwhelmed by playing these top-caliber teams. I know it is possible because it happened last year." Senior Mike Mielcarz is up for the challenge: "I would be lying if I said that I'm not worried about playing big teams like Penn State -- twice in one week -- and Rutgers, and even the Midwest teams. But we will have to fight really hard and dig deep. We have the talent to compete at high levels."

COACH SCOTT GLEASON

Most coaches must tolerate some lean years before they can bring any success to a new athletic program. For Scott Gleason, who skippered the men's and women's volleyball teams at Southampton Graduate Campus of Long Island University, patience was a virtue he did not need.

During his 10 seasons as the first and only head coach in the history of the Southampton Graduate Campus men's volleyball program, Gleason has guided the team to five various championships. In his first three seasons at the helm (1990-92), Gleason led Southampton to consecutive Metro Conference B-Flight titles. In 1996 and again in 1997, his Colonials won the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Division II title.

Who said anything about waiting to gain the respect of opponents? "We have had a winning reputation since our program began," said Gleason, who enters his 11th season with a 199-129 career record and .607 winning percentage ? the highest of any coach in the college's history.

As an undergraduate in 1985, Gleason helped organize the men's team into the status of club programs. In five seasons as a player on the club, he served as captain. Gleason, who has a reputation as a superb teacher and a strong recruiter, has earned three awards as Division II Coach of the Year (1990, 1991 and 1996). The Colonials' inaugural season is one Gleason always will remember.

"Beating Vassar in the semifinals and SUNY-New Paltz in the finals to win the B flight championship in 1990 was one highlight of my coaching career," said Gleason, who graduated from Southampton Graduate Campus in 1986. "We weren't expected to win, that's for sure. Just because it was unexpected, it meant a lot more."

From 1989-92, Gleason also served as head coach of the women's volleyball team and compiled a 55-50 record. The 1999 season marked his fourth as an assistant coach for the Lady Colonials. Gleason, 36, owns a Southampton landscaping company and did his graduate work in Business Administration at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. Born in Stoughton, Mass., and raised in North Easton, Mass., he now lives in Hampton Bays with his wife, Jane, and daughters Victoria, 4, and Katrina, 2.

ASSISTANT COACH KEVIN DESLAURIERS

The Southampton Graduate Campus Athletic Department has not needed to look very far to find a winning coaching combination for its volleyball teams. Like Head Coach Scott Gleason, Kevin DesLauriers is a volleyball player-turned-alumnus whose knowledge now benefits the men's and women's volleyball teams at his alma mater.

A 1993 graduate of Southampton, DesLauriers is in his sixth season as assistant coach of the men's volleyball team. In the fall 1999 semester, he began his fifth campaign as head coach of the women's volleyball program. He guided the Lady Colonials to the ECAC Division II final in 1998, the season in which the team celebrated its 20th anniversary.

DesLauriers brings a winning tradition to the men's volleyball program, having served as captain from 1991-93, when the team went 75-33 (a .694 winning percentage). During his collegiate playing career, he established the school record for season assists, and then-records for assists in a career and in a match. On the school's all-time list, he ranks third in digs (432), fourth in service aces (103) and seventh in total blocks (251). Twice, he won All Conference honors.

As Assistant Coach for Southampton's EIVA Division II championships in 1996 and 1997, DesLauriers helped develop the techniques of the student- athletes, especially the setters. "Kevin sees things really well in terms of tendencies," said Coach Gleason. "If a player's technique is incorrect, he picks up what is wrong and lets them know how to adjust. If we're not blocking in the right spot or playing defense in the right spot, he notices."

The Minnesota native also has coached boys volleyball at Shoreham- Wading River High School since 1993. DesLauriers, 28, lives in Southampton.

Colonials Player Profiles

JOE DAIGLER #11
Freshman Outside Hitter
6-1	190 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: July 13, 1980
HOMETOWN: North Tonawanda, N.Y.
HIGH SCHOOL: North Tonawanda 
MAJORS: Business and Education
PARENT: Chris Daigler
FAVORITES:
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Athlete: Dominik Hasek
Music: Rap
Book: Night Flyer
Movie: Braveheart
INTERESTS: Sports, music
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Made Western New York All-Star Team in 
high school. Helped win gold medal in 1998 Empire State Games.

C.J. EMANUELSON #10
Senior Middle Hitter
6-2	175 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: March 30, 1977
HOMETOWN: Easton, Conn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Joel Barlow
MAJOR: Elementary Education
MINOR: Social Science
PARENTS: Karen and Cliff
SIBLING: Kristen
FAVORITES: 
Team: Denver Broncos
Athlete: John Elway
Music: All
Book: Last of the Breed
Movie: Top Gun
INTERESTS: Outdoor activities
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Making the East Coast
semifinals during sophomore year.

BEN HILL #14
Junior Middle Hitter
6-6	219 lbs.
BIRTHDATE:  May 24, 1979
HOMETOWN: Midlothian, Va.
HIGH SCHOOL: Midlothian
MAJOR: Biology
PARENTS: Ben and Avis
SIBLINGS: Amanda, Heather
FAVORITES:
Team: Atlanta Braves
Athlete: Tiger Woods
Music: Alternative
Book: The Andromeda Strain
Movie: The Shawshank Redemption
INTERESTS: Volleyball, hanging out
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Winning the Maryland
Extravaganza in volleyball.

CHRIS KIES	#5
Senior Outside Hitter 
6-3	175 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: November 9, 1976
HOMETOWN: Buffalo, N.Y.
HIGH SCHOOL: Maryvale
MAJOR: Elementary Education
PARENTS: Paul and Kathy
SIBLINGS: Paul, Andrew
FAVORITES:
Team: Buffalo Sabres
Athlete: Dominik Hasek
Music: Van Halen
Book: Walden 
Movie: Animal House
INTERESTS: Volleyball, mountain biking
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Going five games against 
Ball State and traveling to Chicago to play 
the best nationally-ranked teams -- Lewis and 
Loyola. Also, playing club volleyball in Maryland 
and reaching the semifinals at the Eastern
Championship Tournament.

JOHN LENIHAN #3
Junior Setter
6-0	170 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: November 26, 1979
HOMETOWN: Tinley Park, Ill.
HIGH SCHOOL: Providence
MAJOR: Business
PARENTS: Don and Nancy 
FAVORITES:
Team: Chicago Cubs
Athlete: Michael Jordan
Music: Rock
Book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Movies: A Few Good Men, Pulp Fiction
INTERESTS: Volleyball, basketball
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Won Honorable Mention 
to the All-State Team in high school.

BRYAN LIVINGSTON #2
Freshman Outside Hitter
6-1	180 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: August 20, 1981
HOMETOWN: City Island, N.Y.
HIGH SCHOOL: Chaminade
MAJOR: Graphic Design
PARENTS: James Livingston and Susan Finn
SIBLINGS: James and Ashley Livingston and Kaitlyn and Matthew Finn. 
FAVORITES:
Team: New York Yankees
Athlete: David Wells
Music: Rap, house, techno, alternative
INTERESTS: Sports, video games, art, drawing
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: High school championship: 
29 kills, 12 blocks and 13 digs.

BRIAN MCGEE #1
Freshman Opposite Hitter/Setter
6-1	170 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: June 26, 1981
HOMETOWN: Lynbrook, N.Y.
HIGH SCHOOL: Chaminade
MAJOR: Education
PARENTS: James and Margaret 
SIBLINGS: James and MaryKate 
FAVORITES:
Team: Chicago Bears
Athletes: Walter Payton and William "Refrigerator" Perry
Music: Disco
Book: Green Eggs and Ham
Movie: The Matrix
INTERESTS: Surfing, the ocean
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: High school football MVP

MIKE MIELCARZ #7
Senior Outside Hitter
6-4	210 lbs
BIRTHDATE: December 12, 1978
HOMETOWN: Langhorne, Penn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Shipley
MAJOR: Graphic Design
PARENTS: Julia and Krzystof
SIBLING: Marta
FAVORITES:
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Athlete: Michael Jordan
Music: Rock, Dance
Book: In Cold Blood
INTERESTS: Sports, drawing
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Participating in 
the Final Four of the east against Penn
State University in 1997.

JASON MILLER #12
Sophomore Opposite Hitter/Outside Hitter
6-6	170 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: March 24, 1979
HOMETOWN: Richardson, Texas
HIGH SCHOOL: Berkner
MAJOR: Secondary Education
PARENTS: Roger and Debra Davidson
SIBLINGS: Jessica Davidson, Michael Miller, Kenneth Miller
FAVORITES:
Teams: Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks
Athletes: Aaron Boss, Larry Bird, Mike Tyson
Music: Classic rock, techno, alternative
Books: The Bridges of Madison County, Message in a Bottle
Movies: Tombstone, Pure Country, First Knight
INTERESTS: Indoor/outdoor volleyball, basketball, relaxing
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Winning the 1997 Junior Volleyball Olympics 
(Nationals) in Denver. Becoming a part of the Southampton Graduate Campus Men's 
Volleyball Team.

SCOTT SCHULT #6
Freshman Middle Hitter
6-5	190 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: October 11, 1981
HOMETOWN: Buffalo, N.Y.
HIGH SCHOOL: Clarence Senior High School
MAJOR: Business
PARENTS: Ann, Willie 
SIBLINGS: Lisa 
FAVORITES:
Team: Buffalo Bills
Athlete: Michael Jordan
Music: Beastie Boys
Movie: Animal House
Interests: Sports, music
Athletic Highlights: Named All-Western New York at the end of senior season in 
high school. Made the All-Tournament Team at the Boys' East Coast Volleyball 
Championships in Richmond, Va., in 1999. Helped win gold medal in 1998 Empire 
State Games.

ADAM STEMPEL #13
6-6	170 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: June 17, 1981
HOMETOWN: Skokie, Ill.
HIGH SCHOOL: Niles North
MAJOR: Undecided
PARENTS: LuAnn and Dale
SIBLINGS: Allison 
FAVORITES:
Team: Chicago Cubs
Athlete: William "Refrigerator" Perry
Music: Rock, rap
Book: Of Mice and Men
Movie: The Rock
Interests: Water sports
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Named All-State in high school.

JEFFREY VAIKNESS #4
Freshman Middle Hitter
6-7	200 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: February 4, 1981
HOMETOWN: West Monroe, N.Y.
HIGH SCHOOL: Paul V. Moore (Central Square)
MAJOR: Business
PARENTS: James and Barbara
SIBLING: Sam
FAVORITES:
Team: Syracuse University
Athlete: Cal Ripkin Jr.
Music: All kinds
Book: Lord of the Flies
Movie: 6th Sense
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT: Led high school team to
league championship with 16 kills.

PETER WAWRZYNIAK #16
Junior Middle Hitter
6-8	235 lbs.
BIRTHDATE: February 9, 1978
HOMETOWN: Buffalo, N.Y.
HIGH SCHOOL: Orchard
MAJOR: Biology
PARENTS: Albert and Mary
SIBLINGS: Joseph, Ann Marie
FAVORITES:
Team: Buffalo Bills
Athlete: David Robinson
Music: Jimi Hendrix
Book: The Stand 
Movie: Rudy
INTERESTS: Volleyball, music, plants
ATHLETIC HIGHLIGHT:
Winning a gold medal in the 1996 Empire State Games.