As promised, Team Freedom’s management has put in the work this offseason to recruit additional high-level prospects in the hopes of bolstering their lineup for the new season. This last month GM has secured the transfer of five players who were part of the Chicago Untouchables this last season in the NVA. Owner Justin Beaumont is confident that their addition will surely help improve the team’s makeup to make a better push towards the championship.
OH, Jake Milnazik (@jakemilnazik) – Kean University 21′
OH, Ian Capp (@iancapp20) – Kean University 21′
MB, Thomas Burrel (@tburrell343) – Stevens Institute of Technology 18′
MB, Matt Buffum (@mattbuffumvb) – Elmira University 18’
L, Ryan Alu (@ryan.alu) – Saint Francis University 21′
With these new additions for the 2022 season, Freedom’s bench will likely be one of the heaviest arsenals the league has seen thus far. These guys were key players for the Untouchables in their premier season. They helped the untouchables make their first appearance in the post-season, even with some statistically leading the league last season. Ian Capp finished the season as the second-best server with 15 aces averaging 0.6 a set, and Ryan Alu finished 5th overall on positive passing efficiency at 92% (59/64).
All of these guys have gone to school in and around New Jersey and will now be with a team closer to home, allowing them to train more with their entire squad. Many of them got noticed by other teams in the NVA while training in the Team Freedom gym, so it is fantastic to see them back in the fold.
The team is still looking to add some new additions next year with some potential college prospects and the upcoming tryout at the end of this year. Make sure to follow Team Freedom (@teamfreedomvbc) on Instagram to be one of the first to know about the upcoming tryouts and any future additions and updates on the team this season.
“Let Freedom Ring!”
-NVA Staff Writer
]]>Now two months out from the conclusion of the 2021 NVA Season, where Team Freedom finished tied for 5th, preparations are well underway for the “dawn of a new age.” The makeup of Team Freedom over the last 12 years since its conception has brought the program much success and has made them a long-standing powerhouse in the NVA. However, after two years of not reaching the podium, a fresh new start is needed to bring the club to brand new heights.
As the NVA has increased its exposure, it has also seen an increase in the number of collegiate players eager to compete professionally in the United States once they graduate. Already, Team Freedom has some fresh NCAA prospects who are set to play in the 2022 season once they complete their collegiate careers.
As the roster takes a new form, returners will take on new roles in different positions as manager Justin Beaumont best utilizes his deep talent pool. With gyms opening up once again from the COVID-19 lockdowns, Beaumont plans to put in teams for local cash prize tournaments. The events will help Freedom find the best combination of players while also giving the players some additional income during the NVA off-season.
In the hopes of finding even more hidden talent, Team Freedom will be holding another tryout in late November or early December. On top of the change of guard, Beaumont is also in the works of securing some new sponsors, which they will be eager to announce this December.
Be sure to get connected with Team Freedom on Instagram (@teamfreedomvbc) and Facebook so you can stay tuned about the tryout dates, the introduction of incoming players, and the announcement of new sponsors!
“Let Freedom Ring!”
– NVA Staff Writer
]]>Making it to their second playoff appearance since joining the NVA, Team Freedom fell short of their 2021 aspirations losing in the quarter-finals to the Utah Stingers in a 0-3 sweep. Where Freedom had previously beat the Stingers 3-2 during the regular season, the New Jersey team seemed to have all the odds against them as the match played out.
Team Freedom was neck and neck to start the match, having a match point at 24-22 in the first set before the Stingers came back to win 28-26. While Josue Castillo and Christopher Vaughan did their best to win the set, the pair just couldn’t beat Utah’s block and defense. The team’s other star outside Christopher Nugent was set to start for the finals event but had his flight canceled at the airport due to strikes by workers at American Airlines. Who knows what different outcomes would have transpired if the veteran with international playing experience led the charge.
“A lot of questions had to be asked as the coaching staff going into that Friday. We had a lot of our squad unable to make it and other players not being at 100% like Chris Vaughn after his injury. It was a domino effect of worsening circumstances. However, we still needed to show up and play volleyball.” – Justin Beaumont, Owner.
Coach Carlo Edra and Beaumont used their team’s depth to put forward mixed lineups throughout the season, which kept every team they faced on their toes. After getting off to a poor start in the second set, Carlo placed in setter Ryan Kenny, outside Besmir Arslani, and then middle Douglas Dzema in for Opposite Joe Norman. The substitutions have previously been solid starters for the team, especially during the Atlantic City event. However, the change of guard did not bring about the relief they were hoping for, as they could not stop Stinger’s non-stop momentum before they finished the set 25-13.
As Freedom finally gained a solid 6-3 lead in the third set, setter Matt Elias went down hard after a beautiful set to the opposite. The fall caused a severe cramp in Elias’s calf, which required him to be subbed out of the match to be evaluated by the medical staff. The loss of Elias prevented Freedom from capitalizing on their early lead, allowing the Stingers to get back in the game once again and later take the set 25-22.
“The Utah Stingers did well to make us play to their level. We are a high-energy team that loves to feed off other teams talking smack to us. The Stingers, however, stayed calm and level-headed, which did well to put out our fire.” – Justin Beaumont, Owner.
Despite the loss, Team Freedom stayed in character with fantastic team comradery through the ups and downs, as well as a strong performance from their middle blockers. Matthew Seifert led the entire team in points with six kills (60%), three blocks, and one ace. It is always amazing to see middles do so well. Still, due to middles’ limited time on the court, it is nearly impossible for them to win the game all by themselves.
“Getting back home, we’ve had individual meetings with all the players to see what everyone’s commitments are for next season. As a squad, we’re going to look very different next season as we look to pick up some of Chicago’s players such as Ian Capp and Thomas Burrell!” – Beaumont.
Make sure to go and watch Team Freedom’s final match of the 2021 season by going onto the NVA USA page of Youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdB30nvjjhg
Be sure to follow the Team Freedom (@teamfreedomvbc) and the NVA (@nvausa) on Instagram to get updates on your favorite team as they get ready to come back again next year 2022 season. It’s sure to be the best one yet!
Match Statistics:
#9 Christopher Vaughn – 9 Points (8 Kills, 1 Ace)
#11 Mikheil Hoyte – 8 Points (7 Kills, 1 Block)
#3 Josue Castillo – 6 Points (6 Attacks)
#12 Matt Seifert – 10 Points (6 Kills, 3 Blocks, 1 Ace)
#20 Joe Norman – 6 Points (5 Kills, 1 Block)
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