BABSON PARK, Fla. (January 9, 2020) – Warrior fans, it's about time to come out and support your Webber International University men's volleyball team. Webber is entering its third year of official NAIA competition in 2020, and the Warriors are hoping to provide fans with an exciting season under new head coach Carlos Jimenez.

In addition to developing under its fourth head coach in four seasons including its year of club volleyball in 2017, 2020 will also be the second year for Webber men's volleyball competing as a member of the Mid-South Conference as the Warriors will be looking to advance to the postseason for the third year in a row, where they have lost to Campbellsville University during both previous appearances.

Coach Jimenez said, "I am excited to begin the 2020 season with the Warriors. We have been working hard in preparation for the upcoming season and with a talented group of athletes, it's hard not to have high expectations. However, we are still taking things one step at the time. The guys have been putting in the work in and out of the gym to be ready to establish themselves as a highly competitive team in the NAIA. I think we are all looking forward to seeing how it all comes together."

Two days after a home scrimmage tonight with Ramapo College at 7 p.m., the new 2020 men's volleyball season will begin on Saturday, January 11, with the Webber Tri-Match. The Warriors will host Ramapo at 11 a.m. before closing out the tri-match against Alvernia University at 3 p.m. inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center in Babson Park, Florida.

Webber's first two road matches of the season will come during the first two days of February as the Warriors take on Erskine College at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 1, in Due West, South Carolina, before opening up conference play at No. 9 St. Andrews University at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, in Laurinburg, North Carolina.

The Warriors' first home conference game of the season will then come during the Webber POD Tournament, which is set for Friday, February 14, and Saturday, February 15, inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center. Webber will battle Life University at 5:30 p.m. and Bluefield at 7:30 p.m. on Friday followed by one match on Saturday, a 6 p.m. tilt with Midway University.

All roads then lead to the second annual Mid-South Conference Men's Volleyball Tournament set for April 2-4 at Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

"Perhaps one of our biggest challenges as we prepare for the conference tournament will be on how well we can implement changes and become a more effective team throughout the year," added Jimenez. "As we get some of the results that are expected throughout the season, the guys will get more proficient with their game and create the consistency that the team has been looking for."

Key returners from last year's team for the Warriors include senior libero Steven Bartlett, who was a Second-Team All-Mid-South Conference player a year ago, along with senior setter Kyle Robertson, senior Christian Alvarez-Rivero and juniors Justin Beecher and Zachary Ayala. Outside hitter Orlando Fletcher and setter Tim Rouch Jr. will also be back for their junior season hoping to make an impact.

Jimenez spoke on his group of returners, "All of our returners have been working extremely hard to help develop and bring along the new players on the team, and have in turn been becoming more effective in their roles as well. Both Christian Alvarez-Rivero and Steven Bartlett will be a key factors in the defensive strategy for the Warriors, along with Kyle Robertson and Tim Rouch Jr. implementing a more solid transition from defense into offense as seasoned setters. Justin Beecher is a very versatile player and we are looking for him to help our offense as he contends with both setting and attacking roles. We are also relaying on Orlando Fletcher and Zachary Ayala to make an impact at the net as both have the experience and maturity that will hopefully translate into solid results for us this year."

Newcomers hoping to make a difference for the Warriors will be outside hitter Daniel Hermida, a junior transfer from NCAA Division-II Lincoln Memorial University; freshman middle blocker Bryant Herrera from Freedom High School in Orlando, Florida; freshmen Kenneth Alicea and Christopher Rivera both from Celebration High School near Orlando; and defensive specialists Sabian Cardona Martinez and Christian Quezada.

"The newcomers for this year bring an abundance of both excitement and intensity to the Warriors," added Jimenez. "Daniel Hermida is a very proficient attacker that brings his natural intensity and adds a level excitement to the front line. Both Kenneth Alicea and Bryant Herrera have stepped into their roles with commitment and eagerness to learn and excel and we expect great things from them. Christopher Rivera is another player that brings versatility to the team, and he is a fierce competitor that never quits. Sabian Cardona Martinez is fitting in nicely into our defensive strategy and Christian Quezada is pushing the team with an invaluable work ethic, all helping to put this newcomer group into a new category of competition and establishing the standard for incoming players."

Select Webber men's volleyball matches will feature live stats and live video of the action, so check out our Stretch Internet and Live Events pages for all of the details.

Jimenez concluded, "The future looks bright for this year's team and I am honored to be part of this talented group. We look forward to the challenges that we face as we hope to establish ourselves as a dominant force and help shape the future of NAIA men's volleyball."