KP’s D3 Match of the Week – Nazareth takes down MIT
Nazareth University headed to Cambridge for KP’S NCAA D III Match of the Week on Saturday, March 1st to take on 20th ranked MIT in a United Volleyball Conference match. The Nazareth Golden Flyers beat the Engineers in in four sets (25-23, 24-26, 25-21, 25-18). The Engineers now sit at (10-8 overall, 0-4 UVC), while the Golden Flyers move to (12-8, 2-1 UVC).
In set one Nazareth held control of the set with a 20-15 lead. MIT was able to close the gap to 20-19, due to some attacking errors by the Golden Flyers. Nazareth regained control and won the set 25-23.
Set two was close the whole way. MIT freshman Maddox Brandenburg had some timely kills for the Engineers to help them win the set 26-24. “Maddox has done an incredible job of stepping up as our M2. He reads well and is an effective blocker. His attacking has grown throughout the season,” said MIT Head Coach Todd Elwell.
The Engineers went up early 6-1 in the third set, but Nazareth kept plugging away and had a big six point run that helped them win the set 25-21. The Golden Flyers used that momentum to set four and controlled the whole set. The won the fourth set and the match 25-18. “Mit has very skilled and disciplined volleyball Athletes. For some reason we seem to match up well. Even though Owen Wickens was working through an ankle Injury we were able to keep pressure on them from the serving line,” said Nazareth Head Coach Cal Wickens.
The middles stood out for Nazareth and Coach Wickens was very impressed, “Our middles were in control of their game which meant our passing was solid. In the end we won the match from 20 on. We just made fewer mistakes.” Freshman Ryan Murphy had 12 kills on 14 swings and hit .857 for the match. “Ryan is a fierce competitor and really works hard in the practice gym. In the second set he dislocated his finger and then he came back. He had big blocks and served well. He did a great job with Freshmen Leadership pushing our senior class. He had an amazing week attacking 27-0-43 in four matches,” said Coach Wickens.
Both teams are in the competitive UVC that has some of the top teams in the country; NYU, Vassar, Hobart, MIT, New Paltz, St. John Fisher and Nazareth. “Over the last three years the UVC top to bottom competition has been outstanding. You have great coaches and amazing players challenging each other to play their best every conference match. If anyone can survive the UVC then they have a serious shot at a National Championship,” said Coach Elwell.
The 2025 season is special for Nazareth. Head Coach Cal Wickens is set to retire after taking over the men’s program in 2005. “Cal is one-of-kind and a staple of volleyball. He has done so much for both our men’s and women’s volleyball programs having begun as the head women’s coach and taking on the men’s program in 2005. We will miss him and wish him well in his retirement,” said Pete Bothner, Nazareth Athletic Director.
Coach Wickens has done so much for men’s volleyball and especially the eastern region. Since 1979 he has been the director of Pace Bootlegger Volleyball Club, help host NCAA men’s volleyball showcases, and mentored many athletes that are now college coaches. Coach Stephen England of Hobart College played for Coach Cal and his son Spencer Wickens is currently on the men’s volleyball Stanford staff.
“Nazareth has been very good to me as a coach, the Alumni are fantastic and have stayed in touch. Being there for over 20 years has been a blessing. Rochester has been blessed with great junior volleyball that has been the heart of many of our teams,” said Coach Wickens.
For the 2026 season Coach Wickens will be missed, but he plans on staying involved in the game. He is looking forward to working camps and clinics with his son Spencer. There is no doubt that Coach Wickens has made a huge impact in volleyball, and he will go down as one of the top NCAA Division III men’s volleyball coaches.
Some of Coach Cal Wicken’s top moments at Nazareth:
– The friends and family my wife and I have made in the past 22 years at Nazareth.
– In 2009 we beat New Paltz, UCSC, and Springfield in the same weekend for our first #1 ranking. That group was a very special group that became the leaders in pushing guys to work harder off the court. For sure it was instrumental in the change in “Culture” in our gym.
– Having all three of my kids grow up in the gym and being able to win a National Championship at home in 2011.
– In 2012 we had a great team of guys. As good as we were, we lost to Carthage in 5 sets in the NCAA Tournament. We were receiving serve up 14-10 with the best offense by numbers in the country. We had four opportunities to win and couldn’t close the door. It changed my coaching philosophy and focus forever.
– Most recently being able to coach my own son for his career with his friends at Nazareth.
Nazareth:
Volleyball History:
3 UVC championships
2 Molten Final Four appearances
3 NCAA Appearances with 2 final fours
2013 National runner up
Conference: UVC
Head Coaches:
Cal Wickens 2005-Present
Notable alumni:
Steve England – Head Men’s Volleyball Coach at Hobart
EJ Wells-Spicer – 2013 Division III National Player of the Year
Dan Miranda – Buffalo State Head Coach
Academics:
60+ Undergraduate majors Located in Rochester, NY. Private 1,900 undergrad and 500 grad
MIT:
Volleyball History:
Notable Alumni:
Praveen Pamidimukkala (2005-08)
Matt Hohenberger (2010-13)
Tim Lee (2008-11)
Skyler Kaufman (2015-2019)
Nick Gustafson (2020-24)
Overall record 610-433
Head Coaches:
Karyn Altman 1986-87, 1989
Frode Stavehaug 1988
Sean Tierney 1990-92
Cindy Gregory 1993-95
Tom Klemas 1996-99
Steve Lane 2000-03
Paul Dill 2004-17
Todd Elwell 2018-present 104-53
Academics:
105 Nobel Laureates
84 MacArthur Fellows
65 National Medal of Science winners
35 National Medal of Technology and Innovation Winners
4,535 undergraduate and 7,351 graduate students
57 undergraduate majors and 59 undergraduate minors
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