In 2016 “we” also includes a crop of six underclassmen that composes the bulk of the team and represents its future.

Since early 2015, sophomore Marko Kostich has run the offense from the setter position, racking up a total of 944 assists. Sophomore outside hitter Brad Gretsch has been a frequent recipient of these passes. A consistent second option on offense, Gretsch has posted at least eight kills in every game this year.

Only two players compose the freshman class, and both are middle blockers—Trevor Dow and Spencer Scott. Dow especially has impressed in the first half of the season, surpassing a .555 hitting percentage in each of the last seven games. While Dow shares time with a capable sophomore in Riley Moore, watching the rookie’s development will be a storyline to follow throughout the year.

Despite the profusion of young talent, the program squarely belongs to the class of seniors that has played three seasons without a conference title. In 2015 the Crimson qualified for the four-team playoff before falling to George Mason in four sets—Penn State took the crown as usual.

This season, the team hopes to parlay its hot start into a historical accomplishment.

“I think this team can beat the Penn State team this year, Clemens said. “That’s a goal.”

–Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com.