Sophomore JaMarhe Wills spikes the ball over defenders.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
In 2024, the Marlins Men’s Volleyball team went 8-18 for the season. In their first year of ODAC competition, they seemed to figure it out. The Marlins went 6-2 overall in their first eight games. After winning their first two games of the season against University of Lynchburg and Hood College, the Marlins had two players earn ODAC Players of the Week honors.
For the tournament weekend, the Marlins opened 3-1. Sophomore JaMarhe Wills earned ODAC offensive player of the week, accounting for 56 points powered by 49 kills.
Wills started the season against Lynchburg on Jan. 21 with 11 kills, 1 assist, 3 digs and 2 blocks. In the Marlins win over Hood College on Jan. 24, Wills recorded 6 kills with 0 errors. Wills added 19 winners, 2 assists, an ace, 3 digs and a block in a 3-2 loss to Marymount University on Jan. 24.
Sophomore Matthew Sheppard was selected for ODAC defensive player of the week. In the team’s first FOUR matches, Sheppard recorded 12 total blocks, 22 digs, 37 kills and 5 aces.
Men’s Volleyball celebrates a point scored at match against Randolph-Macon on Feb. 5.
McKenna Howenstine|Marlin Chronicle
In the 3-0 win over Lynchburg, Sheppard pushed the Marlins to a win with 3 blocks, 8 digs, 7 kills, 1 assist and an ace. In the win against Hood College, Sheppard had 2 blocks, 1 dig, 7 kills and 2 aces. Sheppard then recorded 9 digs, 2 blocks and 13 kills in the close loss to Marymount. To cap off the week, Sheppard added 5 blocks, 4 digs and 10 kills in a 3-2 win over St. Norbert College.
Following a 3-2 start to the season, the Marlins defeated Wilkes University, in which Wills led the Marlins in kills, aces and digs. The Marlins went on to win two more matches against King’s College and Fisher College. It has been an impressive start to the season for the Marlins, as they have nearly reached their win total from all of last season in just eight games.
Director of Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Karissa Cumberbatch believes the biggest change this year is depth and experience.
“We brought in two transfers and two freshmen that are contributing at a high level,” Cumberbatch said.
Adding effective players has helped the Marlins start the season off strong and build on the experience they had last year.
“With a year of experience behind us, and an understanding of what the season will look like for us, we are able to put more effort into improving ourselves individually to benefit the group as a whole,” Cumberbatch said.
After a rough season in 2024, the Marlins had work to do in the offseason to prepare for a 2025 campaign.
“Last year we worried about chemistry and being prepared as a team to break skills down and drill more often,” Cumberbatch said.
Hoping to continue this success, the Marlins look toward the future. “Our success this year will help in future recruiting classes and bringing in talent that wants to continue to compete at a high level,” Cumberbatch said.
As the team continues to develop, the Marlins expect to keep winning. “It will build a sense of pride within our culture as a team,” Cumberbatch said.
The Marlins have matches on Feb. 14 against Immaculata University and Feb. 15 against Eastern University and University of Valley Forge. Following those matches, the Marlins have five straight ODAC matches.
By: Brian Madden
bvmadden@vwu.edu