ROCHESTER, N.Y. – There was an extra dose of energy in the air on campus Wednesday as the Roberts Wesleyan University community prepared for something that had never happened in the 158-year history of the institution.
A men's volleyball match.
An energetic crowd flocked to the Voller Athletic Center as the Redhawks played host to Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Division I program from Teaneck, N.J., and packed the VAC for their inaugural match. The visiting Knights won in straight sets, 25-16, 25-20 and 25-18, but the result did not detract from all of the positive energy that has been building since Roberts announced the addition of men's volleyball in November 2022.
"It was everything that I could've expected and more," Executive Director of Athletics Bob Segave said. "There was a lot of excitement around us adding men's volleyball and all of the things that it brings to campus. We saw all of those things tonight, including the energy and athleticism that was on the court and the tremendous energy and support from our campus community in the stands."
"This was fantastic," said Roberts coach Mike Dedee, who was hired as head coach last may. "The crowd was phenomenal, and I thought that the guys came out with a lot of energy. We learned a lot from that match."
FDU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first set before junior Jonah Grbic registered a kill off a set from Riley Green for the first point in program history.
"It was awesome to be a part of and it's awesome that it was me, but to me it is more about the team," said Grbic, a junior who won a national championship at Finger Lakes Community College last season.
Roberts scored the first two points of the second set and pulled within 23-20 on a kill by freshman Kaidan Krchniak before FDU scored the final two points to win the set.
A kill by Paul Fillion brought the Redhawks within 14-13 in the third set, but the Knights closed on an 11-5 run to capture the match.
Grbic, Krchniak and Griffin Monrad each registered seven kills for Roberts. Green set for 22 assists and Moises Jimenez contributed seven digs on a night they will all remember.
"It was incredible," said Krchniak, a freshman from Lockport who was the first recruit to sign with the Redhawks. "I loved the environment and having the crowd that we had was amazing. I thought it was great that we were able to pack the stands. I am so glad to be a part of this first team and am very excited about the next four years."
The men's volleyball team arrived on campus 143 days ago and had been working non-stop leading up to Wednesday. The Redhawks have grown closer together as they improved on the court and can carry many lessons from Wednesday with them in their three-month regular season.
"I think that the biggest thing is just getting the nerves out from this first game," Monrad said.
Dedee, who has been involved in the area volleyball scene since his high school days at Bishop Kearney, looked around the gym to soak everything in after the match before quickly jumping back to reality.
"I'll reflect on this a little and then move forward," he said. "I need to start looking ahead to tomorrow night."
The same two teams play again at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the Voller Athletic Center.