HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College men's volleyball team is set to begin their 2017 campaign against the Knights of St. Andrews University on Tuesday (Jan. 17) evening in the DeLoach Center. Opening serve is set for 7 p.m. with live stats and video available at www.cokercobras.com.

The Cobras are coming off their most successful season to date with a 14-9 record last year. Part of their success was due to their impressive aces per set average.

Coker finished the 2015-16 season as the Division I/II men's volleyball statistical champion in the aces per set category. The Cobras finished the season with 172 aces in 84 sets for a 2.05 aces per set average, besting runner-up Ohio State University, who had a 1.89 aces per set average. It was the first time the Coker men's volleyball team has won a NCAA DI/DII statistical championship in its four seasons as a program.

The Cobras return eight players from last year's roster and add seven newcomers. Among those returners for Coker are Artur Cabral and Joao Victor Santos.

Cabral is one of the most dominant players in the nation and is one of 33 college men's volleyball outside attackers that has been selected to the 2017 watch list for the annual Karch Kiraly Award. 

Joao Victor Santos is another impact player to watch this season for the Cobras. Santos was named to the 2016 Off the Block/Springbak, Inc Freshman All-American Team during the 2016 season.

The Knights of St. Andrews University are also heading into their first contest of the season when they play Coker.

Last season, the Cobras earned a 3-0 sweep over St. Andrews on Jan. 26. During the match the Cobras hit .460 and racked up 30 kills with only seven errors. 

Tickets for the game are $5 for adults, $3 for students and free to all Coker faculty, staff and students.