This year, sophomore DJ White and Madden will return to lead the team in kills. Madden, an opposite hitter, was second on the team in kills last year, with 268 and an average of 3.01 per set, while White, an outside hitter, followed him with 248 and an average of 2.76 per set.
“I know that Matt Jones was a vicious part of our team last year and you can't replace him,” Madden said. “I think that we'll be just as strong as we were last year from the outside.”
Co-captain Rob Lothman will serve a final season as the primary setter. Lothman handed out 889 assists last season for an average of 10.10 per set
The team will also get a boost from its three rookies. Brandon Clemens and Alec Schlossman, both outside hitters, will jostle to start at their respective positions. Alister Bent will provide depth in the defense, backing up junior Chris Gibbons as libero. Gibbons had a team-high 211 digs last season, with an average of 2.45 per set.
“All three of them have improved a ton since the beginning of the season,” Madden said. “I'm really excited to see how they do this season.”
– Staff writer Cordelia F. Mendez can be reached at cordeliamendez@college.harvard.edu