Inside the Locker Room Matt Volz

Author: James Kerrigan

Senior rugger Matt Volz has seen his fair share of bumps, bruises and blood during his time at Middlebury, but he has also seen much growth and success for the Middlebury rugby team.

This season, the rugby team collected its second consecutive New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU) by beating the United States Coast Guard Academy once again in the finals.

MCRC encountered a scare against UVM in late September, but has otherwise been dominant, beating opponents with large margins. The team has won each of its nine games this season by a combined total of 382-65. Will the Inside the Locker Room competition be as lopsided?

Patrick Mott '07, who scored the go-ahead try in the 78th minute of the NERFU finals, has endured many long, demanding practices with Volz, but does he know what Volz is up to when he is not throwing his weight around?

Pascal Losambe '07 has lived with Volz for three of the last four years and surely knows many of his ins and outs. Will this residential proximity be an unfair advantage?

Who knows Volz better, his teammate Mott, or his long-time roommate and fellow rugger Losambe?

Despite many years of sharing a room and the practice field, Losambe was unable to match Mott in the Inside the Locker Room competition.

Mott helped bring the roommates back to .500 this season by matching the total number of wins recorded by the roommates (3). Perhaps it is the similarities between Volz's first name and Patrick's last name (Matt and Mott) that gave Mott the advantage. In any case, his successful recognition of Volz's nickname and medicial history was enough to take the trophy for the week.

When asked about what Volz might fear most, Mott quickly responded, "Matty fears nothing." While this might be characteristic of all the Middlebury ruggers, even with limited knowldge of the sport, Volz's leadership, dedication and heart are all clearly visible.

Mott also noted that Volz probably prefers to write with a stick dipped in blood. Either way, no matter what the utensil, Volz has helped write a legacy that is Middlebury rugby.

The talented and tough group of men have enjoyed as much success as any other team here at the College during the past several years.