Due West, S.C. - Erskine’s newest varsity sport, men’s volleyball, takes to the court for the first time on Tuesday, January 15^th.  Head Coach Derek Schmitt spent the past year recruiting the team’s twelve players, 8 freshmen and 4 transfers, and is excited to get the season underway. 

States Coach Schmitt, “We have a great group of guys who worked hard all fall season and are back at it now, preparing for the first season in the history of the program.  There has been a lot of excitement and anticipation about our first season since August 2011 and now our season is right around the corner.  We are especially looking forward to playing our first match at home in front of our family, friends, and the Erskine community.”

As expected with a first-year program, the Flying Fleet have been voted to finish in 9^th place in the recent Conference Carolinas Pre-season Coaches' Poll.  However, Coach Schmitt expects his team to be competitive as all the team members have played high school and/or club volleyball.

The young Fleet team will be led by freshman Corey Marks (Southwest Ranches, FL, Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School).  Marks, Erskine’s first men’s volleyball signee, will direct the Fleet offensively from his setter position.  He will be backed up by sophomore Jesse Medina (Apopka, FL, Valencia Community College). 

On the front row, Erskine has several players who played very competitive men’s club volleyball in high school.  Sophomore Neal Stanley (Apopka, FL, Seminole State College) and freshman Mike Michelau (Bristol, WI, Central Westasha High School) will play outside hitter whileNathan Camnitz (Orlando, FL, Colonial High School) and Andrew Davis (Asheville, NC, Clyde A. Erwin High School) will play mostly the right-side hitter position.  Freshmen Omar Melendez (San Juan, P.R.) and Mike Kawa (Elk Grove Village, IL, Elk Grove High School) will see the bulk of the time at middle hitter.

Defensively, Juan Varona (Toa Baja, P.R., Bayaman Military Academy) and Michael Schneck (Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University High School) are both excellent defensive specialists and will anchor the back row.  Junior Jon Fogel (Evanston, IL, North Park University) knows the game well and will also see time as a defensive specialist.

Last year Conference Carolinas was the first NCAA Division II conference to sponsor men’s volleyball as a conference sport in the Southeast region.  Currently nine of the twelve member institutions sponsor men’s volleyball.

Roster

Schedule