GOSHEN, Ind. – The Maple Leafs men's volleyball team ended their 2022 season emphatically. In three sets on Senior Day, Goshen defeated Cornerstone, winning 25-9, 25-16, 25-20.
 
The win was the 20^th of the season for Goshen. The previous record was 15 wins in a season.
 
The first set was the most dominant. Goshen started with a 7-1 lead, which improved to 16-5 and eventually 25-9. Cornerstone had nine attack errors and hit -.161.
 
The Golden Eagles composed themselves and were ready to play in the second set. The teams were tied at 14 until Goshen ended the set on an 11-2 run. The Leafs had 18 of their 41 kills in the second set and hit .667.
 
Cornerstone led 14-12 in the third stanza, but a Goshen run ensured the guests wouldn't retake the lead. GC won their final set of the season, 25-20.
 
Goshen had a season-best hitting percentage of .500. They had 41 kills and just seven attack errors. The Maple Leafs had nine total blocks and six aces – tripling the Cornerstone totals in each category. Goshen more than doubled the Golden Eagles in assists (37-18) and nearly doubled them in kills (41-22).
 
Alexander Rabadzhiev finished with 14 kills, three aces, and three blocks. Christian Rodriguez had eight digs, five kills, and an ace. Michael Wahl had 34 assists, and Brayton Yoder tallied eight digs. Lucas Sauder added 12 kills and three digs. Ian Fox contributed with three blocks.
 
Goshen concludes the season with a 20-9 record and a 7-7 record in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.
 
Here is what was said about the seniors during their recognition before the game:
 
Today, we are honoring the Goshen College men's volleyball class of 2022. Men's volleyball became an official sport at Goshen in 2019, when these players were freshmen. They have shaped this program into what it is today – a team receiving votes in the NAIA coaches poll. Goshen has compiled 57 wins and 44 losses in the last four seasons, including a season-high 19 this year.
 
Head coach Lauren Ford says, "These seniors are the rock and foundation on which this program is built. Their hard work and dedication will not be forgotten. The reason this group has had success is that they mesh well together.  They were able to figure it out through the good and the hard times, and that's what good teams are built on."
 
Please direct your attention to the court where we are joined by Director of Athletics Dr. Erica Albertin, head coach Lauren Ford, and assistant coach Taylor Eash.
 
First to be recognized is manager Naomi Willis. She is being escorted by her teammates Jaelyn Amhdar and Gwyn Bellamy. Naomi has served as a manager for the team during the last two seasons. She is from Mishawaka, Indiana, and attended Penn High School. Her future plans include working as a pediatric nurse at a hospital in Indiana for experience and potentially working at Riley Children's Hospital.
 
Next up is #11, Andy Bennett! He is being escorted by his parents, Mark and Amy Bennett. Andy has played in 352 sets throughout his career in Goshen. He has totaled 321 total blocks, 278 block assists, 43 solo blocks, 406 kills, and 59 aces. Andy is an accounting major. Ford says, "It is impossible to ever be mad or sad around Andy for too long because he doesn't take himself too seriously. His defense at the net is what makes this team so good defensively. He also is just a great teammate to be around." Thanks, Andy!
 
Next, we have #3, Matias da Fonseca! He is being escorted by his girlfriend, Orsi Tatai. Matias has been a Maple Leafs soccer team member for the last two seasons and joined the volleyball team this year. He recorded his first kill during a win against Lawrence Tech on March 16. Matias is a business major with a sports management minor. He plans to create his own soccer business after college. Ford says, "Matias is a tremendous athlete. He came in fearless and picked up on a sport he never played at the collegiate level so quickly. He is a pleasure to have in practice and on this team." Thanks, Matias!
 
Let's congratulate #9, Aleks Rabadzhiev! He is being escorted by teammates Michael Wahl and Brayton Yoder. Aleks has racked up 1,416 kills in his career to go with 680 digs, 129 aces, and 187 total blocks in 353 sets played. Aleks is a biochemistry major and intends to get a master's degree in biotechnology. Ford says, "What a pleasure to watch Aleks and even more to coach him.  He has forced everyone around him to be better, even the opposing team.  He made me a better coach.  Aleks will go down in the books as one of the best players in the WHAC and the NAIA." Thanks, Aleks!
 
Our next Goshen senior is #2, Christian Rodriguez! He is being escorted by former assistant coach Reanan Diaz and admissions counselor Adriana Ortiz. Christian has 397 digs, and 293 kills in his career. Christian is an accounting major with a minor in sustainability management. His plan after graduating from Goshen is to get experience at an accounting firm and eventually complete his master's degree. Ford says, "Christian is normally known for back-row play - he came in his senior year to a role he hadn't seen in a while, and he flourished.  We love to see him let it all out and celebrate with him." Thanks, Christian!
 
Next is #16, Lucas Sauder! Lucas is being escorted by his parents, Gretchen and Steve Sauder. Lucas has tallied 686 kills in his four seasons as a Maple Leaf. In 307 sets, he has 169 total blocks, 151 block assists, 18 solo blocks, and 245 assists. Lucas is an engineering physics major with an environmental studies minor. He will be continuing his studies for another two years at Notre Dame to get his environmental engineering degree. Ford says, "Lucas is one of the most coachable athletes I have coached.  In my three years of watching him. I've seen him improve every single year. You can tell he just loves to play volleyball." Thanks, Lucas!
 
Let's recognize #12, Adolfo Sigala Flores! He is being escorted by his mother, Claudia Flores. Adolfo was a part of the original 2019 team. He is an accounting major and intends to return next year to reach 150 credits to take the CPA exam. Ford says, "I'm so happy Adolfo decided to finish with us.  He started with this group way back when.  Adolfo is a hidden gem on the court.  He makes plays and keeps the ball alive.  He pushes all of us in practice to be better, and he always has our backs. He knows the true meaning of family." Thanks, Adolfo!
 
Now we have #6, Michael Wahl! He is being escorted by his parents, Kathy and Jeff Wahl. In 357 sets, Michael has totaled 2,915 assists while at Goshen. Additionally, he has provided 660 digs, 126 total blocks, and 77 aces. Michael is a sign language interpreting major with a psychology minor. After school, he wants to continue pursuing his two passions of volleyball and sign language by working as a coach and an interpreter. Ford says, "He has a natural ability for the game that is exacerbated by his high volleyball IQ. This team doesn't run without his skillset, leadership, desire to win, and personality." Thanks, Michael!
 
We end with #4, Brayton Yoder! He is being escorted by his parents, Kelly Finnigan and Cory Yoder. Brayton has 570 assists through his three seasons with the Leafs. He also has 44 assists to his name. Brayton is a biochemistry and molecular biology major and plans to pursue a master's degree after completing undergraduate studies. Ford says, "Brayton is one of the most athletic students to suit up for Goshen in any sport.  That's why he was able to learn volleyball and be successful at such a high level so quickly. He is a coach's player and will do anything for the team." Thanks, Brayton!
 
Please give a round of applause to your 2022 men's volleyball seniors!