Due West, S.C. – After a successful first season that saw the Erskine Men's Volleyball Team finish 13-16 overall and 9-7 in Conference Carolinas, Coach Derek Schmitt's squad has their eyes set on a conference title and a trip to the national tournament.
The Flying Fleet were recently voted to finish 4
th in a very tight pre-season coaches poll. The University of Mount Olive, last year's regular season champion, was voted to the top spot (47 points), but only two points separated Erskine and the second place spot held by Pfeiffer University. Pfeiffer, Limestone and Erskine each received a first place vote.
Erskine returns all their main contributors from last season, including three first team all-conference players in
Mike Kawa (Debica, Poland, Elk Grove High School), Mike Michelau (Trevor, WI, Westosha Central High School), and
Michael Schneck (Milwaukee, WI, Marquette University High School). Kawa also garnered conference Freshman of the Year honors while Schneck was voted the conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Last season Kawa and Michelau formed the best one-two punch in the conference, ranking first and second in total kills and are again expected to anchor the Fleet offensively. Sophomore
Omar Melendez (San Juan, P.R., Colegio San Ignalio) also had a strong first year in the middle, finishing 11
th in the conference in total kills, while sophomore setter
Corey Marks (Southwest Ranches, FL, Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School) looks to build upon his freshman campaign that saw him average over 8 assists per set.
Defensively, not much more can be asked of Schneck. As a freshman, he led the conference in total digs and was second in digs per set, only because opponent's tried hitting away from him toward the latter part of the season.
In addition to the strong returning core, Erskine welcomes three newcomers who have the potential to make an impact immediately. Sophomore
Andres Talavera (Bayamon, P.R., Academia Discipulos de Crista) is an exceptional leaper and, at 6'5, will be a force at the net both offensively and defensively from his right-side hitter position. Junior transfer
Nathan Camnitz (Orlando, FL, Colonial High School) also has a strong arm and can play both the middle and right-side hitter positions. However, the biggest impact may come from freshman outside hitter
Roberto Perez Vargas (Dorado, P.R., Bayamon Military Academy). Perez Vargas is a tremendous athlete who plays well at the net and on the back row. This season it appears Marks will have more offensive weapons to choose from, making it more difficult for opposing teams to stop the Fleet offense.
Coach Schmitt did not shy away from scheduling tough opponents. Erskine opens their season on the road against #2 Loyola University-Chicago this Friday, followed by #9 Lewis University on Saturday. In addition, Erskine will travel to Pennsylvania later this season to face perennial powerhouse Penn State as well as St. Francis University.
Complete Schedule
Roster
