In the 2021 NVA Championship, the Utah Stingers found themselves up against the stiff competition losing 3-0 against the Vegas Ramblers in the semi-final round. The loss came after the Stingers made quick work defeating the powerhouse Team Freedom 3-0, becoming the only team to have a clean sweep during the quarter-finals. Hoping to repeat their last year’s success as the 2020 Champions, the Utah Stingers finished in Third place while last year’s runner-up, the OC Stunners, took 1st.
Still, a 3rd place finish after a long season, where the team missed their star player Jake Langlois during essential matches, was a great success. The players showed up strong for their Bronze medal match with an effortless 3-0 victory over Southern Exposure, making it clear to the rest of the league that they were meant for the podium. With now a championship and a bronze medal, the team still remains one of the premier teams of the entire NVA. The Stingers also had several players rank within the top ten in statistical categories during the season, proving their excellence even more.
After missing all of Event two in Atlantic City and even missing the first day of the championships, 2020 MVP outside hitter Jake Langlois finished as the 4th best scorer in points per set at 4.42 (114/23). While also finishing as the 7th best scorer in total points at 115.
Cuban outside hitter Inovel Romero proved to be one of the best defensive players. He finished as the 5th best defender with 79 digs and the 8th best passer, passing a perfect or positive pass at 90% (159/176).
Opposite Jorge Mencia was an absolute machine at getting the ball to the floor, being the most consistent starter for the team. He finished his season ranked as the 4th best scorer in total points with 144 and ranked as the 10th best blocker in total blocks with 17.
Middle Blocker, Alex Shmelev, came in clutch during the 3rd place match with an outstanding blocking performance. His added numbers pushed him over the edge to become the 2nd best blocker in blocks per set at 0.68 (23/34) and the 3rd best blocker in total blocks with 23.
Then to wrap it all up, Libero, Kai Duqeum, ran right behind Romero to take 6th amongst the best defenders as he tallied up 76 digs.
Being a rag-tag group of “weekend warriors,” this group of players proved to be some of the best talents that can be found in the United States. For the 2022 Season, it will be exciting to see the Stingers push the envelope even more as they look to become the leader of all-time NVA titles. Make sure to follow the Utah Stingers (@stingersnvausa) and the NVA (@nvausa) on Instagram to stay up to date with your favorite team and the league this offseason. Also, be sure to check out the Stinger’s last match against Southern Exposure on YouTube by following the link below!
SOUTHERN EXPOSURE VS STINGERS | 2021 NVA CUP: BRONZE MATCH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10_5OTRviM4
“Volley On With the NVA”
As a recent addition to the Utah Stingers, Jake Langlois joins a list of US national team players, such as David Lee and Russell Holmes, to play for the NVA. In the short time since graduating from BYU, reaching the NCAA semi-finals twice as an all-American, Jake has gained a Bronze medal in the 2018 World Championships and a 3rd (2018) and 2nd (2019) place finish in the Volley Nations League. Having a stellar international player such as Jake in the league will truly make for an exciting development for the Championship Tournament in Utah, November 5-8.
“So far, it’s been an awesome time joining the Utah Stingers. It’s fun to play with a lot of the people I played with at BYU. I am hoping to see the NVA grow into something like the NBA, MLB, and NFL. Once people see men’s volleyball, I know they are going to be drawn to it instantly,” Langlois mentioned.
The November Championship Tournament will be the first time that Langlois has played in Utah since his time at BYU. The return of one of the Cougar’s star alumni to his old stomping grounds will likely bring a massive outpouring of fan support from Langlois’s friends, family, and fan base from Provo, Utah.
“The showcase is going to be fun for me playing volleyball again…Hopefully we can get some fans there despite current COVID restrictions,” Langlois added.
Be sure to follow along with Langlois, Utah Stingers, and the rest of the league on the NVA website: nvausa.com as well as the NVA app. You can also check out Stingers’ team website: Stingers.nvausa.com. Don’t miss the livestream that begins on November 5th at 8:00am PST.
Team USA Link
https://www.teamusa.org/usa-volleyball/athletes/jake-langlois
Pro Teams
@jakelanglois10
]]>Originating from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Carson Heninger brings the Utah Stingers a lifetime of experience, playing volleyball since he was a young child. As long as he could remember, Carson was around the sport with his father being a local volleyball coach. As a little kid, Carson would attend his father’s practices, spending a lot of time there playing pepper with his brother or developing his serve on open courts. Carson played basketball and baseball, in addition to volleyball, while he attended Magrath High School. He also has proved to be a dedicated athlete competing in triathlons in his spare time.
While playing for his father’s high school team, Carson was named a Second-team All-Star his sophomore year and a First-team All-Star in both his junior and senior year. Additionally, Carson took a Fourth-place national finish with his club team Canuck Stuff Volleyball Club.
Before transferring to BYU, Carson played at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Canada, in 2010, where he received an all-conference second team nomination. While there, he also spent a few years completing his mission call to serve others in Baguio, Philippines. From Mount Royal, Carson transferred to BYU and played there from 2012-2016, where he played alongside current USA National Team players Taylor Sander, Ben Patch, and Jake Langlois.
Getting his bachelor’s degree in exercise science at BYU, Carson has since switched career paths and has a successful career as a restructuring and insolvency attorney. Since quarantine, Carson has kept in shape playing golf in the mornings as he continues working from home, which has allowed him to spend extra time at home with his wife and two kids.
Stay tuned this season to see Carson in action! Check out the following links to read more about his previous clubs and teams.
https://byucougars.com/athlete/m-volleyball/99431/Carson-Heninger
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For the 2020 season, the Utah Stingers boast a deep roster filled with strong determination, veteran experience, and professional talent. The Stingers are reaping the benefits of the long-lasting excellence of local BYU players but will also have international all-stars, solidifying Utah as a potential volleyball powerhouse in the NVA. The Stingers promise their fans the season will be one to remember as they get to see their favorite players fighting for the championship.
On the outside, they have an all-BYU Alumni cast with the most recent star Storm Fa’agata-Tufuga, the Provo Utah native Philip Fuchs, AVCA first-team player Andrew Stewart, and local talent Kalen Stewart. To top it all off, they have the Cuban ‘big man’ Yosleyder Cala who has had an impressive 16-year professional career after a stellar college career with the Cougars..
For the opposites, they have the Canadian Carson Heninger and Cory Metcalf from Utah Valley University. Rounding out the rightsides is Jorge Mencia from Cuba, who also has a healthy 12-year resume playing overseas.
The Middles are a strong group led by the 2012 Olympian and two-time world champion Russell Holmes, GCU Alumni Alex Shmelev, and two time all-American Russ Lavaja.
Their Setters run deep with 2013 MPSF Conference Champion Ryan Boyce, BYU alumni Hamilton Day and Tyler Heap, and 2018 All-American and MPSF All-Academic Leo Durkin.
Finally, in the libero position, the Stingers have the always energetic Kai Dugquem from Ohio State University and Arizona Native Chandler Baugh.
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