HARTSVILLE, S.C. – It was a historic 2014-15 season for the Coker College men's volleyball team. The program earned its first 10-win season, had two players named to the Off the Block All-Independent Team, a player named the Off the Block/Springbak, Inc. Independent Player of the Year and Fan Choice National Player of the Year. However, second-year head coach Eric Snyder and his squad are looking for continued progression heading into the 2015-16 season.
"The guys made some great strides in the fall and we are all excited to see what we are capable of this season," said Snyder. "The guys are working extremely hard in the gym and weight room and they understand that this season could set up the program for future success.
Five seniors, one junior, five sophomores and three freshmen make up the 2015-16 edition of the Cobras and those five seniors will be called upon for their veteran leadership.
"Luke (Hansen) has returned in great form and team captain Luke Grupe has segmented himself as an anchor in the middle," said Snyder. "We have great depth at every position and the guys have been all working so hard which makes my job difficult when putting together a lineup."
High-flying junior right side/outside hitter Artur Cabral headlines the 14-man roster. The Maceio, Brazil native put together a record-shattering 2014-15 season, where he was in the top 10 in Division I and II with 3.90 kills per set and .53 aces per set. He was named to the 2015 Off the Block All-Independent Team, the Independent Player of the Year and the Fan Choice National Player of the Year and was just recently named to the 2016 Bryan Ivie Award Watch List
"I truly believe Artur is one of the best attackers in the country," said Snyder. "He is an extraordinary talent, fun to coach and most importantly a great student and an excellent representative of the college. However, I am most proud of how he has matured over the past year and that will drastically help our program succeed."
Major contributions will also be expected of senior Luke Hansen and sophomore setter Aleksa Bijelic. Along with Cabral, Hansen was named to the 2015 Off the Block All-Independent team after a stellar junior season, where he was second on the Coker roster with 228 kills and 31st in Division I and II with .36 aces per set. Bijelic will look to pace the Cobras once again after dishing out a team-high 669 assists.
"Both Luke and Aleksa have great leadership qualities that can lead this team from the setting position," said Snyder. "I am also excited to watch Colton Parsons challenge both of them as well."
The Navy and Gold welcome a trio of new faces in Josiah Douglas and Brazilian duo Gabriel Castro and Joao Victor Santos. Snyder was quick to state that all three could have big impacts in their first season.
"It has been fun to watch these three come in and almost instantly fit in with the rest of the team," said Snyder. "There is a lot of experience among the three of them and they have instantly bolstered our ability to put the ball away. The future of the program is very bright."
The Cobras will have an opportunity to make a splash on the national stage with the toughest schedule in the program's four-year history. Matches at Ohio State and George Mason, both of which are in the top 15 in the AVCA Coaches poll, headline the 25-game slate for the Cobras.
"We don't shy away from great competition," said Snyder. "We have some very talented teams on our schedule and we have to prove our worth, however, I think these guys relish in that type of environment and we have a great chance to show what we are made of."
Coker kicks off its season on Friday (Jan. 8) when they take on the visiting Rust College Bearcats at 7 p.m.