Ryan Charles '08 (left) and David Huffman '08

Springfield, Ohio — While the Wittenberg University varsity women's volleyball program has reached elite status with back-to-back Final Four appearances the last two years, they have company – on their own campus.

The Wittenberg club men's volleyball program may not be on par with their female compatriots on a national scale, but the Tigers have made plenty of noise on a regional level recently. In the 2005-06 season, Wittenberg reached the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Division 2 Tournament semifinals after an upset win over Grand Valley State University. In 2006-07, the Tigers just missed duplicating that feat, advancing to the tourney's quarterfinal round, thanks in part to a victory over The Ohio State University.

Initiative is everything for this group of guys. The results speak for themselves.

"It feels great to beat schools of such a large size," said Ryan Charles, class of 2008 from Mansfield, Ohio. "Some of the teams we have beaten in recent years have enrollments 10-15 times what Wittenberg's is, but we have a great chemistry on our team and a work ethic that has allowed us to achieve some great things.

"In addition, we have a great time together. It's been a great experience."

The team typically plays in five tournaments per school year, logging a total of 15 matches per season. They have played in tournaments at Michigan State University, Xavier University, Miami (Ohio) University and Ohio Northern University in recent years, and the Tigers have claimed victories over the University of Michigan, Indiana University and Western Michigan University, among others.

As a club team, the men's volleyball players receive funding from Student Senate that covers travel expenses and membership fees to the MIVA. In 2006-07, the Tigers had 10 players on their roster, led by team captains Glenn Leever, class of 2007 from Loveland, Ohio, and Derek Fugate, class of 2007 from Glenview, Ill., with coaching assistance from Ashley Anderson, class of 2008 from Northbrook, Ill., a former member of the Tiger women's volleyball team.

Leever was the team's setter the last four years, while Fugate was a valuable outside hitter who made big plays all around the court. Their commitment has helped the program make significant improvements in recent years.

"Glenn and Derek devoted a lot of time and energy to the team," Charles said. "I hope we can keep the momentum from the last two seasons going."

Adam Horrocks, class of 2007 from Delaware, Ohio, was the third senior on the roster in 2006-07 after joining the team in the fall. He was a four-year letterwinner in men's soccer prior to that.

Charles, a middle hitter, and David Huffman, class of 2008 from Urbana, Ohio, are the returning players with the most experience in 2007-08. Also involved are libero Jeff Schak, class of 2009 from Sylvania, Ohio, outside hitter Scott Morris, class of 2010 from Cincinnati, Ohio, outside hitter Alex Throckmorton, class of 2010 from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, middle hitter Guillermo Schnell, class of 2010 from Caracas, Venezuela and middle hitter Nick Lee, a Springfield resident.

Written By: Ryan Maurer