The 6-6 junior opposite, Martin finished the season ranked 20th in the nation with 40 service aces, averaging .43 aces per set. He is also ranked nationally in kills per set (33, 3.13 kps), blocks per set (67, 0.65 bps), hitting percentage (68, .212) and digs per set (88, 1.698). Martin led the team in points (370), service aces (40) and second on the team in digs (159) and total blocks (61).
Geary, a 6-4 sophomore middle hitter, was the 2010 Midwest-III Freshman of the Year and All-Conference selection. In 2011, he ranks ninth in blocks per set (1.0) nationally. For the season, Geary was first on the team in total blocks (97), second in total points (216) and points per set (2.23), third with 141 kills and had a .251 hitting percentage.
Harbour, a 6-2 sophomore outside hitter, receives his first postseason honor. Harbour was second on the team in kills (146) and points per set (2.30), third in total points (168.0) and fourth in digs per set (0.95 dps).
The Raiders completed the season with a 12-17 overall record and 6-2 in conference play.
The 2011 Raiders men's volleyball team has big shoes to fill following last season's successes, which included a first-time conference championship and a ranking of tenth in the nation (the highest of any MSOE athletic team at the time). MSOE finished the season 17-14 overall, 15-4 against NCAA Division III opponents and defeated No. 8 MIT in their home tournament as well as defeating No. 9 Carthage twice in three games on their way to a Midwest-III Volleyball Conference crown.
2011 Season Preview
The 2011 team will rely on senior leadership from Chris Reininger and tri-captain Mitch Paulus to lead the team to defend their M3VC title. Reininger, a 6'4" middle blocker from St. Louis, averaged 2.12 kills per game and had 59 blocks for the season last year. He was also honored nationally by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as the player of the week for March 29, 2010.
"Chris is the heart and soul of this team. He saw us through the lean years when we won only a handful of games," said seventh year coach Brian Gibboney. "He embodies what you expect from a team leader: discipline, skill, integrity, hard work and dedication to the sport. He is definitely one of the smartest players on the team from a game aspect. He makes great decisions on the court."
Paulus, a 6'3" outside hitter from Fredonia, Wis., brings an intensity and desire to win in his senior season. He saw limited action last year as he played in 14 matches and averaged 1.27 kills per game.
"Being fairly new to the sport of volleyball, Mitch has made great progress and he's is fighting for a starting position this season," Gibboney said. "His strength is a knack to attack the ball. Despite his lack of playing experience, he will be a player to watch."
Returning as an offensive threat for the Raiders is opposite hitter Max Martin. Martin, a 6'7" junior tri-captain, had his breakout season last year leading the team in kills with 390 and had a .271 hitting percentage. His 4.02 kills per game put him 16th in the nation.
"Max has grown up a lot in the last two years," Gibboney said. "He has made a transition to the right side effectively and has developed some shots along the way. He has always been a good blocker, but the part of his game that has improved is his defensive skills. I have expectations for Max and hopefully, nationally, people will take notice of his skill."
Sophomore middle blocker Jack Geary returns to the starting lineup in 2011. Geary was fifth in the nation in blocks per game last year at 1.32 and 12th in all of Division III in aces per game.
As a team, MSOE was third in the country with 2.32 aces per game.
"Jack is quiet in many ways on the court but he speaks tons through his serving and blocking ability," Gibboney said. "We expect more of an offensive threat out of Jack this year."
Stepping into the starting libero role is 5'8" sophomore John Cote. Although playing limited matches in 2010, his biggest numbers came in the conference championship. Replacing an injured Jon Holzbauer, Cote started and amassed 18 digs in the match to help the Raiders to a three-game sweep of the Carthage Redmen.
"I am looking forward to John getting a chance to start this year," Gibboney said. "He sat on the sidelines, getting better every practice. When he had the opportunity to prove his skill, he shined."
Video from Midwest-III Volleyball Conference Championship:
