Men’s Volleyball to Begin 2024 Season in Ariel

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University Men's Volleyball team is set to begin its 2024 campaign on Friday, January 26.

MVNU is coming off a tremendous 2023 in which it placed third in the WHAC and got to host its first conference tournament match in program history. The Cougars finished the year receiving votes in the final NAIA Coaches' Poll and wrapped things up with a record of 19-8 and 13-5 in conference play. Both win totals were program bests.

MVNU is led by the 2023 WHAC Coach of the Year and the Champions of Character Coach, Doug Sherer. Sherer has a veteran group of student-athletes at his disposal and is looking to build off the historic 2023 season.

Senior, Spencer Stanley looks to lead the attack on offense. Stanley was an All-WHAC First Team selection after averaging 3.56 kills per set. The Mount Vernon product also had 1.70 digs per set in 2023.

Landon Ewers also had a big year up front as he averaged 2.78 kills per set and hit a conference-high .351 on the season. The senior also had 112 blocks and led the WHAC in blocks per set at 1.12. Ewers was named to the All-WHAC First Team after his strong season.

Jaysen Matsumoto looks to build off his sensational junior year in 2024. Matsumoto was named as a First Team All-WHAC recipient and was the WHAC Setter of the Year. Matsumoto was second in the conference in assists per set (9.80) and third in service aces per set (0.35). The senior from Kaneohe, Hawaii had 980 total assists on the season and added 186 digs and 43 kills. He reached the 2,000 career assists milestone during the season.

MVNU men's volleyball enters the 2024 season receiving votes in the preseason coaches' poll and will look to start strong on Friday against Trinity Christian in Ariel Arena at 7:00pm. The Cougars will then take on (RV) Campbellsville on Saturday, January 27 in Ariel at 3:00pm to wrap up the weekend.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.