Path To 2019 Goal Starts In Midwest
December 31, 2018 | Men's Volleyball
One goal, a National Championship. Every team has it, but each approaches it differently.
Head coach David Kniffin's players all understand the process. The 2019 season will be a journey with calibrations made throughout the year.
"We are honest about who we are," the sixth year head coach said.
The season began to be shaped in August when the team went on a 18-day trip to Asia. The Anteaters played the top teams from Korea, China and Japan, giving UCI an incredible experience on and off the court.
"The time traveling wasn't just great competition, there were so many moments the guys shared together," Kniffin said. "There was an investment in relationships and was such a robust student-athlete experience. It was special to be part of something bigger than just competition. It was a perfect complement to our academic experience"
The Asian tour was also a good point of reference.
"You don't know what you are capable of until you go through it," Kniffin continued. "It put us up against the threshold and it was enjoyable to watch what the guys are capable."
The Anteaters were picked to finish third in the Big West coaches preseason poll and start the year ranked fourth nationally.
"It is interesting that there is no pressure to make the conference playoffs in the Big West so you are always preparing for a NCAA bid. It's an ever-evolving idea of peaking at the right time."
In typical UC Irvine fashion, tackling the nation's best is the only way to schedule. The 2019 slate features 11 teams ranked in the AVCA preseason top 15, plus four more who are receiving votes.
The Anteaters start the season playing five matches in eight days with the first eight contests away from Irvine.
TO GET STARTED
No. 4 UC Irvine will start 2019 traveling to No. 9 Loyola-Chicago Friday (Jan. 4) at Gentile Arena then head to No. 7 Lewis Saturday (Jan. 5) for a 5:00 p.m. showdown at Neil Carey Arena. The Anteaters will take on Ball State Jan. 7 at Worthen Arena to round out the first portion of the road trip.
The first two matches begin at 5:00 p.m. PT, while Ball State begins at 4:00 p.m. PT
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
The Ramblers were 23-7 overall and 11-3 in the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) last year, sharing the regular season conference title.
Lewis is picked first in the 2019 preseason MIVA preseason poll, in front of second place Loyola.
The Flyers, who were 19-11 a year ago, will take on North Greenville Friday before hosting the Anteaters.
UCI beat Loyola (3-1) and Lewis (3-0) to start 2018 at a neutral site. The Anteaters swept Ball State in a match at Crawford Court a year ago.
Ball State is also busy to open the year, hosting Princeton Friday and NJIT on Saturday.
The Cardinals, who were picked fourth in the preseason poll, were 18-12 overall in 2018.
LOOKING BACK
UCI ended the year 21-10 overall and tied for second in the Big West with a 6-4 mark.
The Anteaters return All-Americans Scott Stadick, Karl Apfelbach, Aaron Koubi and Joel Schneidmiller.
All seven starters were All-Big West selections with Dante Chakravorti, David Parker, Austin Wilmot joining the four All-Americans.
UCI made the program's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018, making the tournament field as an at-large selection.
The Anteaters were not swept last season, going 12-0 in three set matches.
No. 4 UC Irvine at No. 9 Loyola-Chicago / Friday, Jan. 4 / 5:00 p.m. PT / Gentile Arena
Live Stats
No. 4 UC Irvine at No. 7 Lewis / Saturday, Jan. 5 / 5:00 p.m. PT / Neil Carey Arena
Live Stats Video
No. 4 UC Irvine at RV Ball State / Monday, Jan. 7 / 5:00 p.m. / Worthen Arena
Live Stats
Head coach David Kniffin's players all understand the process. The 2019 season will be a journey with calibrations made throughout the year.
"We are honest about who we are," the sixth year head coach said.
The season began to be shaped in August when the team went on a 18-day trip to Asia. The Anteaters played the top teams from Korea, China and Japan, giving UCI an incredible experience on and off the court.
"The time traveling wasn't just great competition, there were so many moments the guys shared together," Kniffin said. "There was an investment in relationships and was such a robust student-athlete experience. It was special to be part of something bigger than just competition. It was a perfect complement to our academic experience"
The Asian tour was also a good point of reference.
"You don't know what you are capable of until you go through it," Kniffin continued. "It put us up against the threshold and it was enjoyable to watch what the guys are capable."
The Anteaters were picked to finish third in the Big West coaches preseason poll and start the year ranked fourth nationally.
"It is interesting that there is no pressure to make the conference playoffs in the Big West so you are always preparing for a NCAA bid. It's an ever-evolving idea of peaking at the right time."
In typical UC Irvine fashion, tackling the nation's best is the only way to schedule. The 2019 slate features 11 teams ranked in the AVCA preseason top 15, plus four more who are receiving votes.
The Anteaters start the season playing five matches in eight days with the first eight contests away from Irvine.
TO GET STARTED
No. 4 UC Irvine will start 2019 traveling to No. 9 Loyola-Chicago Friday (Jan. 4) at Gentile Arena then head to No. 7 Lewis Saturday (Jan. 5) for a 5:00 p.m. showdown at Neil Carey Arena. The Anteaters will take on Ball State Jan. 7 at Worthen Arena to round out the first portion of the road trip.
The first two matches begin at 5:00 p.m. PT, while Ball State begins at 4:00 p.m. PT
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
The Ramblers were 23-7 overall and 11-3 in the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) last year, sharing the regular season conference title.
Lewis is picked first in the 2019 preseason MIVA preseason poll, in front of second place Loyola.
The Flyers, who were 19-11 a year ago, will take on North Greenville Friday before hosting the Anteaters.
UCI beat Loyola (3-1) and Lewis (3-0) to start 2018 at a neutral site. The Anteaters swept Ball State in a match at Crawford Court a year ago.
Ball State is also busy to open the year, hosting Princeton Friday and NJIT on Saturday.
The Cardinals, who were picked fourth in the preseason poll, were 18-12 overall in 2018.
LOOKING BACK
UCI ended the year 21-10 overall and tied for second in the Big West with a 6-4 mark.
The Anteaters return All-Americans Scott Stadick, Karl Apfelbach, Aaron Koubi and Joel Schneidmiller.
All seven starters were All-Big West selections with Dante Chakravorti, David Parker, Austin Wilmot joining the four All-Americans.
UCI made the program's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018, making the tournament field as an at-large selection.
The Anteaters were not swept last season, going 12-0 in three set matches.
No. 4 UC Irvine at No. 9 Loyola-Chicago / Friday, Jan. 4 / 5:00 p.m. PT / Gentile Arena
Live Stats
No. 4 UC Irvine at No. 7 Lewis / Saturday, Jan. 5 / 5:00 p.m. PT / Neil Carey Arena
Live Stats Video
No. 4 UC Irvine at RV Ball State / Monday, Jan. 7 / 5:00 p.m. / Worthen Arena
Live Stats
Players Mentioned
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