THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.— Looking to build on their first-ever top-five win in program history, Cal Lutheran men's volleyball and head coach Kevin Judd have their sights set on an at-large berth to the 2020 NCAA Championship.
The program was re-established in 2016 and has made significant strides with Coach Judd at the helm. The senior class has been a big part of the success while winning 19 games in 2018 and earning high-ptofile wins in 2019.
The Kingsmen have their biggest senior class since the program started back up as eight will put on the Purple and Gold for their final season.
The group consists of Alec Bennett, Nick Christy, Justin Dietrich, Kelly Jew, Andrew McFarlane, Mason Mercer, Andrew Reina and Patrick Rowe. The class has done everything from kills on the outside, blocks in the middle, digs in the back, assists to set everything up and serving aces. They have combined to play in 423 sets and many are the current record holders at CLU for career and seasons.
Rowe (outside hitter) was the first Kingsmen to earn an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Player of the Week award which he garnered after a 5-0 week with double-digit kills in all but one match. Key starters also returning are Reina (outside hitter), Dietrich (middle blocker) with the final five all making contributions.
Rowe is the program's all-time kills leader with Reina in second while Dietrich has the best hitting percentage and is second in blocks. Rowe and Reina are also tied for the most service aces.
The junior class is the smallest as William Brendel is back and he is joined by transfer Sean Fitzpatrick.
The sophomore class is ready to grow in Coach Judd's system and consists of Connor Hinthorn, Eli Moore, Noah Nailor, Jacob Schleien, Stone Sharp, Jonathan Silva and Michael Zielinski.
Hinthorn and Moore played big roles for the Purple and Gold and look to expand on that playing time this year. Hinthorn came on late and the outside hitter stepped up when teammates went down with an injury. Moore got the starting role from the beginning and was tremendous as the libero.
New to the program are three freshmen. Eric Chabon, Jacob Cudiamat and Blake Zingerman join the Kingsmen ready to make an impression.
Your first chance to see the Kingsmen is during an exhibition on January 5 at Pepperdine which starts at 3 p.m. The regular season begins at home on January 8 as Cal Lutheran welcomes Marymount at 2:30 p.m.
2020 Roster: Kingsmen Volleyball
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
