MCVL Announces 2016 Coaches Preseason Poll

St. Louis, Mo. - This year the Fontbonne University men's volleyball team will enter their second season as a member of the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL), formed last year. With an inaugural season of eight teams, the conference will now be made up of 14 colleges with the additions of North Central, Wittenberg, Marian, Greenville, Adrian and Olivet.

Last year's MCVL Champion Carthage College was picked to win the regular season title with Dominican and Mount St. Joseph close behind as MSOE rounded out the fourth spot.

This year Fontbonne has been tabbed with votes to finish 10th in conference play. The Griffins will look to shake up the coaches poll with six new freshman and one new sophomore after losing just two players from last season's squad.

Fontbonne returns libero Jimmy Stika as well as sophomore setter Jacob Lendy, outside hitters Stephen Lendy and Tony Pitaro as well as right-side hitter Zack Pelker. This year height will play a bigger role for Fontbonne at the net as well with TJ Vorva at 6'8 and Emir Hadzisalihovic at 6'7. With high school all-conference recruits added to the team, in Lucas Diffey, Gabe Grote and Aaron Kowalewski, as well as freshman Josh Eades and transfer Nedim Novalic, the Griffins are ready to make a name for themselves in the MCVL.

Fontbonne opens 2016 play at home on January 16th when they host a tri-match. The Griffins host Brooklyn College at 5 p.m. followed by Greenville College at 9 p.m. The full schedule can be found here.

FULL MCVL RELEASE

2016 Coaches Preseason Poll