HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College head men's volleyball coach Eric Snyder announced the addition of Luca Berger, Tyler Edmondson, Gregory Esquivel, Jackson Gilbert, Sanjae Holloway, Shane King, Stephen Porras, Endel Sanchez and Ryan Walsh to the 2016-17 roster.
"I am extremely excited about this year's recruiting class to come in and join a group of talented and hard-working returners," said Snyder. "Each incoming player offers a unique skill set and I expect them all to have a positive impact on the program. I am looking forward to see how this group gels with our core group of upperclassmen."
Berger is a middle blocker from Goiania, Brazil, where he played soccer and men's volleyball at Olimpo High School. He also played club volleyball for Sesi SP Brazil.
Luca is the son of Patricia Lunardelli Berger and Robert Carlos Berger. He plans on majoring in computer science.
Edmondson is a libero from North Chesterfield, Va., where he attends Thomas Dale High School. He is a member of the wrestling, soccer and volleyball team for the Knights. On the volleyball court he was a second team all-conference selection.
Tyler is the son of Tammy Edmondson and plans on majoring in exercise science.
Esquivel hails from Valinda, Calif., where he was an outside hitter and libero for the Cathedral High School volleyball team. While playing for the Phantoms, he was a first team Hacienda League selection and a second team Del Rey League selection. He also played his club volleyball for Forza 1 West and was a four-year member of the honor roll in the classroom.
He is the son of Gregory and Linda Esquivel and plans on majoring in business.
Gilbert is an outside hitter from Hilliard, Ohio, where he attended Hilliard Bradley High School. He was a member of the men's basketball and volleyball team for the Jaguars. On the volleyball court, he was the first four-year letter winner for the men's volleyball team, a two-time all-conference selection and an all-region selection.
Off the court, he was a four-year scholar athlete, a four-year member of the honor roll and a project supervisor and leader for his local church youth group.
He is the son of Jennifer and Jason Gilbert and plans on majoring in history and social studies education.
Holloway is an outside and opposite hitter from Wethersfield, Conn., where he was a two-sport athlete for the East Hartford High School Hornets, lettering in basketball and volleyball. On the volleyball court, he was an all-conference and all-state selection, while earning all-academic team honors as well.
Sanjae is the son of Davida Davidson and plans on majoring in criminology.
King is a middle blocker from Lake Forest, Ill., where lettered in men's volleyball for the Scouts of Lake Forest High School. Along with his high school play, he also played his club volleyball for the Vortex Volleyball Club.
Shane is the son of Beth and Patrick King and he plans on majoring in business.
Porras is a setter from Chesterfield, Va. He comes to Coker after spending one season playing for the Battlers of Alderson Broaddus University. Prior to his time in Philippi, he was a member of the Cosby High School volleyball team. While with the Titans, he compiled two undefeated regular seasons, was a conference championship, a two-time state runner-up, was a two-time scholar athlete award recipient and finished in second for total aces during his senior season.
Stephen is the son of Marilyn and Chris Porras and plans on majoring in exercise science.
Sanchez is a setter from East Hartford, Conn., lettering in basketball and volleyball at East Hartford High School. While on the volleyball court for the Hornets, he was a two-time conference champion, a 2015 Central Connecticut champion, a 2015 all-conference performer, a 2015 all-courant honorable mention selection and he broke the team record in assists with over 900.
Endel is the son of Eliza and Chad Rivera and is currently an undecided major.
Walsh is a middle blocker from East Hartford, Conn., where he played volleyball for the East Hartford High School Hornets. On the court, he was a two-time conference championship, a 2015 CCC champion and a 2015 all-conference performer.
He is the son of Jacqueline Gorka and Tom Walsh.
"We got a taste of success last year and I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish, but I think it left us craving more," Snyder continued. "Our success this season will be contingent upon how quickly and efficiently we can come together and process our goals for the fall and spring. It is an exciting time for the men's volleyball program and Coker and we are not going to shy away from being great."