Eastern Mennonite’s talented lower classes were well-represented, compiling six of the seven honorees.Ìý Five freshmen were on the team: (Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman), (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield), (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) and Ìý(Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim).Ìý Sophomore (Creighton, Pa./Deer Lakes) was named for the second straight time while junior (Lancaster, Pa./J.P. McCaskey) made his third consecutive appearance on the team.

With just five upper classmen on the 15-man roster, the Royals finished 14-10 this year, including 3-9 in the conference.Ìý They missed making the four-team CVC Tournament by just one win.

A total of 39 student-athletes were recognized as members of the Continental Volleyball Conference All-Academic Team for the 2015 season. ÌýIn order for a player to earn All-Academic Team honors he must carry at least a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average.

All seven CVC school members were represented on the 2015 list with Juniata College leading the way with eight All-Academic members. Ìý91¶ÌÊÓƵ had second most with seven players, while Stevenson University was third with six players.

The teams went back and forth this time around, trading sets. Eastern Mennonite fell behind in the first set, but took over the lead late and then scored the final three to win, 25-21. Cairn built up a big lead in the second set and made it stick in a 26-24 squeaker.

Set three was a different story, as the Royals quickly built up an 11-6 lead. The Highlanders made a few runs before the men closed the door, 25-18.Ìý Cairn forced the fifth set by making a small lead stick in the fourth, 25-22.

91¶ÌÊÓƵ fell behind early in the deciding set but then used a couple of short runs to get in front. A kill fromÌýÌý(Montpelier, Va./Patrick Henry) closed the day, winning 15-11.

Brigham led all players with 24 kills.ÌýÌý(Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) added 18 kills with a solid .263 attack percentage, and was second on the team with 15 digs.ÌýÌý(Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) had 11 kills.ÌýÌý(Hampton, Va./Bethel) put up a hefty 55 set assists.

Defensively, liberoÌýÌý(Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman) led all players with 16 digs.Ìý(Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) got his hands on seven blocks, andÌýÌý(Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim) had six, including two solos.Ìý Long helped out on five blocks.

Randall Colson led Cairn with 16 kills and six blocks.

The Royals, 5-3 overall, are at home again on Tuesday, hosting Bluefield College at 6:30pm.

Eastern Mennonite’s volleyball men officially open their new season on Tuesday, hosting Lancaster Bible College at 7 p.m. in Yoder Arena.Ìý The Royals finished 2014 at 12-14, but tied for the longest winning streak in program history at six matches in a row.

Porter said his team did well with the hand they were dealt.

“I felt the year went as well as we could make it go given the roster size and injuries,” explained Porter.Ìý “The team worked hard and prepared for the long season last year knowing we did not have numbers to successfully scrimmage in practice.”

The men returned seven of their ten players, a nice core despite the fact that they lost their top hitter and setter.

“It means a lot to have those returners because they know what playing in college looks like and they are the ones pushing everyone else to get better and do better,” Porter commented.Ìý “We are in a good place right now.”

Back are outsidesÌýÌý(Montpelier, Va./Patrick Henry) (3.29 kills/game and 1.84 digs/game) andÌýÌý(Lancaster, Pa./J.P. McCaskey) (2.49 kills/game and 1.61 digs/game), along with rightside hitterÌýÌý(Newport News, Va./Menchville) (0.98 kills/game and 1.54 digs/game).ÌýÌýÌý(Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) was one of the top blockers in the nation last year at middle averaging 1.16 stuffs per game along with 0.98 kills.Ìý Fellow middleÌýÌý(Berryville, Va./Leesburg Christian) brings back 1.03 kills and 0.85 blocks andÌýÌý(Chester, Va./Thomas Dale) added 0.66 blocks off the bench.

Ìý(Creighton, Pa./Deer Lakes) spent much of last season as the team’s libero, but becomes more of a general this year.

“Zach will be stepping into the setter position and I am very pleased about his versatile role on the team,” said Porter.

91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s coach also explained that he is expecting a lot of leadership out of his upperclassmen.

“Jesse, Kyle and Marc will lead the team as returners and two of them are seniors,” he said.Ìý “Their roles will have to be fulfilled this year in full as we have a young team.”

Porter also expects a lot of out his eight freshmen, both in contributions this year and during their four seasons as a whole.

“We have three liberos inÌýÌý(Richmond, Va./Douglas Freeman),ÌýÌý(Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield) andÌýÌý(Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) and we could not be in a more stable place with the liberos we have,” he explained.Ìý “OutsideÌýÌý(Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) will be producing a large amount of our offense this year as well as middle/rightsideÌýÌý(Greencastle, Pa./Greencastle-Antrim).ÌýÌýÌý(Virginia Beach, Va./Salem) is one of the most athletic rightsides to play at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, and setterÌýÌý(Hampton, Va./Bethel) and his club teammate middle blockerÌýÌý(Gloucester, Va./Gloucester) who will also be seeing time this year as freshmen.”

Besides the influx of versatile talent, Porter is excited to simply have more than the needed 12 players to complete a six-on-six scrimmage during practices.Ìý The Royals only had 10 men on the roster last spring.

He also sees this group of athletes functioning well as a team.

“Our biggest goal is for this group of guys to work well together,” he said, “and to do the right, simple things all the time.Ìý They are coming along well. ÌýOur short term goal is to progress day to day through practice and then game experience.Ìý Our long term goal is to make the CVC Tournament.”

91¶ÌÊÓƵ finished 2-8 in the Continental Volleyball Conference in 2014 and are still looking for their first postseason appearance as the league enters its fourth year of existence.

There is a major change in the structure of the CVC this year, however, as the Western Division of the league (made up of teams from Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio) amicably left during the offseason to form their own more geographically-concise conference, the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League. ÌýThe Eastern teams of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, Marymount, Stevenson, Juniata, Thiel and Cairn maintained the rights to the CVC name as well as automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, and added a seventh team in Rutgers-Newark.

While the league was originally started to provide an automatic bid when the NCAA added a sponsored national championship for 2012, the continued growth of the sport allowed the expansive conference to add more teams and now cut down on travel expenses.

Porter agrees that the split was for the better.

“It just makes our conference even tougher with a greater focus on the seven teams here in the east,” he explained.Ìý “Having a Western Division was okay but to really just pay attention to what we have in our region is better for the program and the conference.”

The top four teams in the final standings will advance to the postseason CVC Tournament, which is hosted by Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa., on April 10-11.

With the volleyball men sporting their largest roster size since also having 15 on the team six years ago in 2009, Porter is glad to have three assistant coaches this year, giving him extra eyes and feedback.

While Porter knows this season will see a lot of learning curves with more than half of the roster being freshmen, the Royals are excited.

“Practice is more competitive and we look more like a team,” he said.Ìý “Our most noticeable strength is being able to play multiple people during matches.Ìý We have guys that can play more than one position and that’s a good position to be in.”

After the season-opener tomorrow night in Yoder Arena, the Royals will have to forge their identity on the road, playing six straight away from home.

In order to attain Academic All-Conference a student-athlete must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 or above.

Senior Travis Riesen (Hillsboro, KS/Hillsboro) leads the way as a two-time honoree on the Academic All-Conference Team, as he also earned the award last year. Riesen was Eastern Mennonite’s libero and was second on the team with 2.09 digs per game.

After earning a starting role as a freshman, Jesse Reist (Lancaster, PA/JP McCaskey East) adds the academic award to his fine rookie season. Reist was second on the team with 2.48 kills per game and had a .233 attack percentage. He was also third in digs at 1.56.

Reserve middle hitters Joseph Spriggs (Chester, VA/Thomas Dale) and Garrett Delph (Berryville, VA/Leesburg Christian) rounded out 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s members on the academic team. Spriggs played in nearly half of the Royals’ contests, averaging 1.54 kills and a team-high 1.18 blocks. Delph played in five matches and averaged 0.55 kills and 0.45 service aces.

Eastern Mennonite finished the 2013 season with a record of 14-13, including 2-6 in the CVC. It was their first winning record since 2008.

He takes over for Interim Coach Derek King, who guided the Royals to an 11-14 record last spring, their first season in the new .

Moore, who himself played for Eastern Mennonite during the 1996 season before transferring to D-I George Mason, is excited about the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ program.

“91¶ÌÊÓƵ is in a unique position in that it is one of only two NCAA men’s volleyball programs in Virginia,” Moore explained. Ìý“Also, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ has so many great attributes that you can’t discern by simply reading the website, such as the strong sense of community. ÌýEverybody here is dedicated to an individual’s complete growth as a person, not just the athletic or academic side, but spiritual and communal as well.”

Director of Athletics feels that his new coach is the right man for the job.

“After a lengthy search process, I am not only pleased to have the position filled, but to be filled with someone like Gary who brings experience in both collegiate and club volleyball programs,” said King.Ìý “His excitement for returning to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to continue the growth of the men’s volleyball program is evident and should help him to make a quick transition to this position.”

Moore is currently the lead coach and owner of in Hampton Roads, VA.Ìý Along with a widespread involvement on the club level and with USA Volleyball, he also has men’s and women’s coaching experience at Rutgers, Norfolk State and Christopher Newport.Ìý With D-III institutions regularly re-evaluating their travel costs as well as desires for automatic qualifiers on the conference level, Moore’s background should prove vital for 91¶ÌÊÓƵ.

“With the men’s volleyball landscape in the NCAA going through significant changes which could have a major impact on our program,” King said, “Gary’s experience in several educational institutions, being a business owner and heavily involved in the club volleyball scene make him well suited to give leadership to the emerging nature of men’s volleyball in Division III and 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s place in that picture.Ìý His experiences should serve him well in navigating the unknowns of the future.Ìý I look for Gary to provide leadership in charting a course for the future of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s program but also at the conference level.”

Moore’s business background also aids 91¶ÌÊÓƵ in other ways, explains , Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students.

“In addition to his volleyball coaching skills, Gary also brings extensive experience in supervising fitness center operations,” said Nafziger.Ìý “His fitness background will benefit his players as well as faculty, staff, and the broader 91¶ÌÊÓƵ community as he takes on a quarter-time role in the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ fitness center.”

Having played both D-III and D-I volleyball, Moore will also have a unique perspective for his student-athletes.

“Coming back to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ to coach is very special for me,” he said. Ìý“It’s my homecoming, and I am honored to be able to come back to make a bigger contribution to the men’s program and the school as a whole. There are so many people who are still here from when I played here, and I feel a deep sense of humility and obligation to make them proud.”

King echoed that perspective.

“He will be in a good position to help his players understand and benefit from all that 91¶ÌÊÓƵ has to offer and will use volleyball as a way to develop Christian character in the young men he coaches.”

Nafziger added thoughts on Moore’s work in the classroom as a student.

“Gary’s academic record, including graduating with honors from Norfolk State UniversityÌýwhile also serving as an assistant coach, provides a positive role model for his players to take their academics seriously in the midst of their athletic endeavors,” said Nafziger.

Moore’s wide-ranging connections should bolster his recruiting efforts.Ìý Personally, he is ready to affect young men in a long-lasting manner.

“Winning matches and establishing ourselves as a legitimate force is of course important,” he explained, “but that’s not all. ÌýI am just as interested in having our guys graduate and mature into men of excellence, character and integrity. ÌýUltimately, that’s what’s most important, and with it, the program is sure to excel.”

Moore will assume his duties at Eastern Mennonite on October 1.Ìý The Royals open their 2013 season in late January, with the official schedule to be released later this year.

Prock relished in the libero role this year and will finish as one of the best back row players in D-III volleyball.Ìý Currently, his 3.25 digs per game has Prock second in the nation.Ìý The senior had 14 matches notching 10 or more digs, including a season high 20 in a four-set contest against Philadelphia Biblical.

He finishes his career at Eastern Mennonite in second place on the all-time digs list with 1,006.Ìý Ryan Detweiler holds the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ record at 1,186.Ìý Prock was also a setter during his freshman season, and finishes 11th on the all-time assists list with 603.

The Royals closed the 2012 season with a record of 11-14.Ìý They were tied for third in the CVC East at 3-5, but missed the six-team CVC Tournament based on a tie-breaker with Thiel College.

Below is the full list of the CVC All-East Division Team:

Nolan Prock, Eastern Mennonite, Sr, LB
Ben Wolff, Juniata, Sr, MB
John Almquist, Juniata, Sr, S
Joe Bortak, Juniata, Fr, MB
Ross Madden, Juniata, So, OH
Dante McCoy, Thiel, Jr, RS
Eddy Klepper, Stevenson, So, MH
Ethan Mawhinney, Philadelphia Biblical, Jr, MH
David Moler, Stevenson, Fr, S
Noah Prickett, Philadelphia Biblical, Jr, OH
Michael Whitelock, Thiel, So, MH
Kyle Wisner, Stevenson, Fr, MH

Gary Williams, Associate Athletic Director of Carthage College announced the forming of the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC), a nation-wide men’s volleyball conference with ten NCAA Division III Institutions focused on academic and athletic excellence. Williams will serve as the conference’s first commissioner.

The CVC will consist of Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.), Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.), Fontbonne University (St. Louis, Mo.) Juniata College (Huntingdon, Pa.), Milwaukee School of Engineering (Milwaukee, Wis.), the College of Mount Saint Joseph (Cincinnati, Ohio), Philadelphia Biblical University (Langhorne, Pa.) Stevenson University (Stevenson, Md.), Thiel College (Greenville, Pa.) and the University of California, Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz, Calif.).

Steve Benson, the men’s volleyball coach at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, said joining the Continental Volleyball Conference made a lot of sense for the program.

“It allows us to stay with local teams with whom we have relationships from the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association and expand to play high quality teams from the Midwest and West,” he said.

Division III formally adopted the NCAA men’s volleyball championship as the Association’s 89th championship at the 2011 Convention held this past January. The NCAA has sponsored a National Collegiate Volleyball Championship since 1970, which was open to any varsity collegiate program in all three divisions.

With the recent exponential growth of the sport on the Division III level, the NCAA has added the Division III Championship. This adoption and the awarding of an automatic qualifier bid to the tournament, was the catalyst to the formation of the CVC. The conference brings together some of the best teams from across the country to qualify for the proposed nine-team NCAA Division III Championship.

91¶ÌÊÓƵ has been waiting for a Division III championship for a number of years.

“It’s exciting for the NCAA to add men’s volleyball as an officially sanctioned sport,” said Benson. “We have been a supporter of Division III men’s volleyball for many years and it’s tremendous to see this come to fruition.”

The teams in the conference, although varied in location, create one of the nation’s best conferences. In 2011, five of the ten teams have been ranked among the top 15 teams in Division III. The conference will begin competition in 2012, consisting of an east and west division.

The East Division will be comprised of 91¶ÌÊÓƵ, Juniata, PBU, Stevenson and Thiel. Carthage, Fontbonne, Milwaukee School of Engineering, College of Mount Saint Joseph, and UC Santa Cruz will form the West Division.

Each team will play divisional opponents twice and the top teams from each division advance to the conference tournament. The CVC conference tournament champion will receive an automatic bid into the first NCAA Division III Tournament to be held at Springfield College on April 27-29, 2012.

“The conference’s focus is to create a league that will provide nationally recognized and competitive competition opportunities for our member institutions, while remaining fiscally sound and reducing missed class time, enhancing the overall student-athlete experience,” said Williams. “We are committed to providing a high quality volleyball experience from coast to coast, while maintaining the integrity of our student’s personal and academic lives and fulfilling the mission of an integrated student-athlete experience that is a staple of the Division III philosophy.”

Williams believes that the strength of the conference is its diversity of institutions and the ability to inspire future growth in throughout the nation.

“The CVC also affords schools geographically separate from the majority of Division III men’s volleyball schools to create a league that will encourage future expansion and growth of programs in the Midwest and West regions of the country, while at the same time, providing a stable conference structure for schools that were not included in conference realignments before and just following the NCAA vote. Through our research of geographically diverse conferences such as the UAA and other single-sport models in men’s and women’s lacrosse we created a structure that will meet our goals and provide a competitive yet sound playing schedule.”