For most students at Ohio State, the weekend of April 6 and 7 will probably come and go and blur together with all other cold and rainy Columbus weekends. Some will still be mourning the end of spring break, while others will already be counting the days until summer.Miles Avery and his No. 2 ranked men’s gymnastics team have had that weekend marked on the calendar since the final dismount of the 2000 season. April 6 and 7 is the weekend of the The Ohio State men’s volleyball team is changing faces in more ways than one.Almost as fast as the line-up has changed its look, the traditional scoring and format of collegiate men’s volleyball has taken on a new identity.What was once the best 3-out-of-5 games to 15 points of regular scoring is now the best 3-out-of-5 games of rally score to 30 points, with the fifth game only played to 15 points. Also, a serve that has hit the net on its way over must be kept in play. This style of play is very similar to the international style of scoring that is used by both national teams and professional leagues around the world.”The new scoring system is exciting for the fans because there will be a new sense of urgency to win every point,” said Pete Hanson, head coach for the OSU men’s volleyball team. “You have to come out and play right away, and our guys are definitely going to have to adjust to that.”Yet, the new scoring system isn’t the only adjustment or challenge facing the squad this year. The team is returning two starters, senior Chris Fash and junior Pieter Olree, from last year’s national championship runner-up group, and losing two All-Americans, including setter Angel Aja, the 2000 MIVA player of the year.”Some young guys are coming in and playing right away and they are all working hard and meshing well,” said Greg Lehman, senior outside hitter. “I think that things are working out really well so far.”Todd Hill, senior CO-captain, agrees. “It’s going to be a process. We are all working and adjusting to our new setter. Frustration is just something that can’t happen for us this year, especially with all of the new guys.”Still, with all of the changes, the goals of the team are as high as they’ve always been.”I would like to see us come together and play at our highest level. If we do that, we will match up with anyone in the league,” Hill said.The Buckeyes got their first test this weekend by defeating St. Francis 3-0 and then falling to Penn State 4-1. They return home to St. John Arena this weekend to play Juniata Saturday at 7 p.m.”Everyone in the league is in the same position that we are in, having new guys on the floor and adjusting to the new format,” Lehman said. “And something that we talk about every year is to stay undefeated at home. It’s a real pride thing for us.”Even though the team won’t have the same identity and versatility that it used to, there will be good leadership from three fifth-year seniors and from junior Pieter Olree.”We’ll be able to rely on two or three guys, especially our outside hitters, to shoulder the load,” said Hanson. “I think that we’ll definitely be in the hunt for another league championship. We’re just going to have to be patient.”
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