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Time to empty the notebook that is filled with college men’s volleyball news and notes. Check out some of the more interesting news tidbits and other notes involving college men’s volleyball teams and players.
Mastodons coach wins national title
The playing career isn’t over yet for Purdue Fort Wayne head coach Rock Perrotte. Perotte helped Beam Pineapple win the gold medal on Sunday in the USA Volleyball Open National Championships men’s 40-and-over division. Beam Pineapple, which also included Hall of Fame setter Lloy Ball, finished the tournament undefeated and swept Hustle & Flow in the finals.
Beach middle dominant in European opener
Middle attacker Simon Andersen had seven kills on a .700 attack percentage and a team-high two blocks as Denmark swept Georgia on Saturday to open the European Silver League. The Long Beach State middle attacker is one of three current NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball players to compete with their national teams in the European Silver League and the European Gold League.
Long Beach State jumps the shark
Long Beach State announced earlier this month that it has selected the sharks to be the school’s new mascot. The previous mascot Prospector Pete was retired last year, and 49er will remain an informal nickname. The nickname for the school’s athletics teams will be Beach.
MIVA players excel in the classroom
The MIVA announced that 121 student-athletes earned MIVA Academic All-Conference honors in 2019. In order to be eligible for this accolade, a player must have achieved a cumulative 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale at the conclusion of the 2018 fall semester. All eight MIVA teams had at least 12 players earn the academic distinction with Lewis having a conference-best 19 players.
MPSF players earn academic honors
The MPSF announced that 26 student-athletes were selected to the MPSF All-Academic Team this season. Players eligible for this honor must have at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average, competed in 50 percent or more of their team’s matches during the season and be in at least their second year with their current team. Grand Canyon led all teams with six MPSF All-Academic selections.
Ball State, Lincoln Memorial players garner academic award
Both Lincoln Memorial opposite Evan Cory and Ball State middle attacker Parker Swartz were named to the 2018-19 Google Cloud Academic All-District At-League Team. The two players each had a cumulative 3.98 grade point average to earn academic accolade in their districts.
New Division III program in Illinois
Illinois College announced it would add a men’s volleyball program starting in the 2021 season. The Blueboys, which are located in Jacksonville, Illinois, will be the 12th NCAA Division III school in Illinois to sponsor men’s volleyball.
King receives conference’s sportsmanship award
King for the third consecutive year won the ConfCarolinas Messick Sportsmanship Award. This award is annually presented in men’s volleyball to the ConfCarolinas team whose players, coaches and fans display the highest level of sportsmanship and respect during the season.
Former All-American to take over at Clarke
Clarke hired Elle Kosciuk to the head coach of its NAIA men’s volleyball program. Kosciuk was an All-American Honorable Mention during her playing career at Clarke and spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Clarke women’s volleyball team. The Pride climbed to No. 9 in the national rankings during the first half of the 2019 season and reached the conference tournament semifinals.