Tech Tonics Volleyball Competes in Arizona

Right: Back row, left to right: Phil Simmons (Opp), Isaac Simmons (MB), Scott Zeman (S/Coach), Peter Munk (MB), Ben Cooper (L),

Front Row: Dana Sills (OH), Tye Lasich (OH) . Not pictured, Dave Anderson (MB) and Chelsea Buffington (Assistant Coach/ DS). Photograph by Chelsea Buffington.

SOCORRO, N.M., April 3, 2008 — New Mexico Tech’s official volleyball team, the Tech Tonics, competed this past weekend (March 29-30) at a regional USA Volleyball Association men’s tournament in Mesa, Arizona. This was the team’s first ever USAV tourney and, although they did not win any matches, they fought hard. The Tech Tonics competed against the top two teams in Arizona and against the men’s club team from Arizona State University.

The Tech Tonics have been playing together as a team in UNM’s Lobo League for over a year, but in November 2007, the players made a collective decision to take the team to the next level. That decision was spurred by the team’s participation in an invitational tournament at UNM against the UNM Men’s Volleyball Club team and Albuquerque’s Team Tribe. The Tech Tonics were inspired by the level of competition and determined to work hard to become better.

Right: Tye Lasich attacks, while Ben Cooper and Peter Munk cover. Photograph by Chelsea Buffington.

Since then, the team has held regular practices and became registered with the Sun Country Region of the USAV in Division B. The team continues to play in Lobo League and looks forward to future tournaments in the Arizona, New Mexico, and Rocky Mountain regions.

NMT Volleyball Club president and captain of the Tech Tonics Ben Cooper notes that “in all my years of volleyball, I have never seen a group so talented and so excited about the game. These are really exciting times for Tech volleyball.” Cooper, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, plays the positions of libero and setter.

-NMT-