HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Coker College men’s volleyball coach Todd Caughlin has added three players for the 2012-13 season. Jared Geizer (Montville, Ohio), Cooper Lyon (Lethbridge, Alberta) and Luke Grupe (Lexington, Kent.) have signed national letters of intent to play at Coker.

Geizer comes from Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School. He is a 6-foot-6 outside hitter on the right side. A three-year captain and MVP in high school, Geizer was named to the 2011 All-Ohio Second Team and Northern Ohio Region First Team.

“The combination of Jared’s height and jumping ability will put him in a position to contribute from the outside,” said Caughlin.  “He is coming to Coker having played for one of the strongest men’s club programs in the Midwest, and I look forward to Jared making an impact with our team.”

Jared is the son of Dave and Judee Geizer. He intends to major in art with a concentration in graphic design.

A 6-foot-6 middle blocker, Grupe joins Coker from Henry Clay High School.

“Luke is going to provide size and knowledge in the middle that will help get the program off the ground,” Caughlin said. “Luke has been around the game almost all his life, and that experience is something that you cannot train. Once he’s able to play every day, I think Luke is going to do some special things.”

Luke is the son of Dale and Kathy Grupe.

Lyon hails from Catholic Central High in Canada. He was named the defensive player of the year in both 2011 and 2012. A 5-foot-9 libero, Lyon is the second player Caughlin has signed out of Lethbridge, joining Brett Parkin.

“Cooper is a dynamic player with a very strong sense for the game that will be crucial in our first year of play,” said Caughlin. “It’s essential for your libero to have the knowledge and skill to set, and Cooper has just that. He plays with a fire and intensity that his teammates are certain to feed off.”

Cooper is the son of James and Leslie Lyon. He intends to major in business.

For more information, contact Chris Dougherty, manager of athletics media relations, at 843-383-8018 or cdougherty@coker.edu.

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Coker College readies undergraduates for personal and professional success through a distinctive four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the “Best Colleges” in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review. Located in Hartsville, S.C., Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston and Myrtle Beach.