The Men’s Volleyball Team at Culver-Stockton College is gearing up for their season. The team is currently sitting at a record of zero and three but has only played two games, due to a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. Their first game of the season against Park University was canceled earlier this month.

Coach Devin Walker and his players were aware of the possibility of a cancellation of the game, but it did not stop them from working hard throughout the week until the game was officially called off. 

“The team dealt with the news better than expected,” said Coach Walker. The team knew that there was a possibility of the game being canceled going into the first week of the season. This could also be a blessing in disguise for the team as well by getting this out of the way. By dealing with the issue now towards the beginning of the year, Coach Walker is hoping the team will now “be able to keep a playable size (roster) moving forward.”

According to sophomore Akeel Oxley, the goal for the team is to “finish this season in the top half of our conference which would allow [the team] to compete in the conference finals.” It is definitely an achievable task, but it will be challenging with this being Coach Walker’s first year here at Culver-Stockton College, along with half of the roster being new to the program. 

Oxley and his teammates believe in Coach Walker’s philosophy of running the team because they all know if they can work together the possibilities are endless. The entire program is hungry for success and it shows during practice. The practice the team is doing together is starting to translate onto the court.

The Wildcats are scheduled to play their first home game of the season on Feb. 1 at 6:00 p.m. against Missouri Baptist University.