LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its men's basketball Volt Division preview for the 2023-24 season. The Volt Division consists of seven teams, with each program squaring off against one another twice in conference play.
Six of those teams will earn bids to the postseason which begins on Saturday, February 17, 2024 with the Divisional First Round. Winners of that round will then square off in the Divisional Semifinals on Monday, February 19, 2024. The Divisional Final will then take place on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
The Volt Division Champion will then square off against the Skye Division Champion in a culminating Championship on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The winner of that match will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference's automatic qualifier into the Division III NCAA Championship.
Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington, coming off of a finals appearance last season, will be led by Justin Dunbar-Stevens in his first season at the helm of the Nittany Lions men’s basketball program in 2023-24. Though important players have graduated, a strong veteran core exists led by senior guard/forward Alex Podolski (10.4 ppg, 35% 3 PT FG%), senior forward Jake Schalki (7 ppg, 7 rpg), and junior guard Kolby Miller (2.5 ppg in 18 mpg). Matchups with fellow United East members Bryn Athyn and Clarks Summit highlight the non-conference slate, which also includes games with Salisbury, Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, and Montclair State.
Coach’s Outlook: “With some important players graduating, we are excited to usher in some returning players into bigger roles, along with 2 key transfers. We return Jake Schalki and Alex Podolski as starters, and look for Kolby Miller and Dylan Sheed to step into more prominent roles this season. We also add Christian Niles and Myles Haynes as key transfers expected to make major impacts for the team.”
Gallaudet University
Kevin Kovacs enters his 8th season in charge of the Gallaudet University men’s basketball program with an experienced squad looking to improve upon the 2022-23 season. The Bison have a strong veteran core led by senior guard Rory Lewis (12.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), junior forward Blessed Mbogo (7.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg), and junior center Brandon Chung (7.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg). A quality non-conference slate seeds Hood College, Salisbury and Shenandoah on the schedule ahead of the United East Volt Division campaign beginning.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are excited about our returning players along with some newcomers and our team's growth and process and look forward to putting in our best efforts this season.”
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Head Coach Chris Harney begins his 19th season at the helm of St. Mary’s College with a balanced team looking for postseason success in 2023-24. The Seahawks are led by senior guard Daryn Alexander (15.2 ppg, 73 assists, 33 steals, 4.9 rpg, United East Second Team), sophomore guard Micah Henry (15.2 ppg, 60 assists, 22 steals, 3.4 rpg), and senior forward Hollique Johnson (6.8 ppg, 52.3% FG%, 5.8 rpg). The non-conference schedule is highlighted by Division I matchups with Loyola University of Maryland and Longwood University on top of contests with Catholic, Salisbury, Bridgewater, Washington College, and Notre Dame of Maryland.
Coach’s Outlook: “Developing team with a good balance of returners and newcomers.”
Lancaster Bible College
Fresh off of a 2022-23 United East Championship and a win in the NCAA Tournament, Lancaster Bible returns with an experienced squad for Head Coach Jon Mack’s 5th season. The Chargers will be led by senior guard Grant Sareyka (15.3 ppg, 46% FG%, 38% 3PT, 1st Team All United East, senior guard Seth Beers (3.9 apg, 111 total assists last season, Honorable Mention All United East), and junior guard Malachi McDowell (5.0 ppg, 49% FG%, 47% 3PT, 85% FT). The non-conference slate brings matchups with Allegheny, Franklin & Marshall, Salisbury, Marietta, and Haverford before the Chargers mount their defense of last year’s championship.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are excited about the new journey that lies ahead for this group, despite graduating four decorated seniors. We return a strong core with great leadership and a solid incoming class. We look forward to a challenging non-conference schedule that will stretch and prepare us for conference play. We are cautiously optimistic that we can grow into a very good team as we pursue a conference tournament berth and championship.”
Penn College
Penn College begins 2023-24 looking to improve upon last season’s campaign in Head Coach Geoff Hensley's sixth season. The Wildcats have a solid group of returners led by junior guard Gavin Barrett who led the United East in scoring (18.5 ppg) and assists (6.7 apg) last season on top of a First Team All-United East honor. Sophomore guard Alec Cooper (9.8 ppg, 83% FT%) and junior forward Max Jackowsky (8.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg) provide veteran leadership after playing in every game last season. Penn College has a strong non-conference slate including matchups with Montclair State, William Patterson, Bridgewater and Juniata in addition to the United East Volt Division schedule.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are optimistic for this season. We have seen steady growth the last few years and now have a good mixture of upperclassmen and underclassmen. We return a solid core unit with a lot of experience and added some new key players who will join the rotation. The conference is very strong in men's basketball and each game is a battle. We have a very challenging non-conference schedule to hopefully prepare us for our conference opponents.”
Penn State Harrisburg
Don Friday begins his 10th season in charge of Penn State Harrisburg with a veteran team looking to return to the playoffs after a semi-final loss in 2022-23. The Nittany Lions are led by senior guard Donyae Baylor-Carroll (2x d3hoops.com First Team All-Region, 2020 NEAC Player of the Year, 2x All-Conference), senior guard Nate Curry (d3hoops.com Second Team All-Region, Conference Rookie of the Year, 3x All-Conference) and sophomore guard Chase Robinson (2023 United East Rookie of the Year). Harrisburg has a tough non-conference schedule with matchups against Kean, John Carroll, Neumann, Alvernia, Muhlenberg, and a holiday trip to Randolph-Macon; a 2023 Sweet Sixteen participant.
Coach’s Outlook: “Last year was a transition year for our program, having lost four quality starters and needing to incorporate and elevate new faces while establishing new roles. Last season taught us to be resilient while experiencing the ups and downs of being a student-athlete at the college level. We return a wealth of experience and have added depth at each position, especially our backcourt. We are extremely excited to take the court for the 2023-24 campaign.”
Penn State Berks
Penn State Berks has a young, but experienced, squad who’s looking to improve their standing in 2023-24 after taking steps forward from the previous year. Head Coach Ian Gendreau has an experienced core led by senior guard Darik Tannis-Harriet (10.3 ppg, 4.0 apg, 41 steals), senior forward Andre Ballard (8.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg), and sophomore guard Luke Collins (7.3 ppg, 41% FG%). Non-conference matchups with Albright, Alvernia, and Cabrini will prepare the Nittany Lions team for United East Volt Division play.
Coach’s Outlook: “Berks returns 8 players from their 2022-23 roster, a squad that won 5 conference games after going winless the season before. The Lions are young and hungry, with 9 of their 12 roster spots being taken by freshmen and sophomores. Berks expects to compete on a nightly basis and play a high energy, exciting brand of basketball.”
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.