ANN ARBOR, Mich.--After receiving 67 points, Lawrence Tech is predicted to finish in fourth place in the 2024 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference men's volleyball coaches' poll, according to a vote of the WHAC's 10 head coaches. That represents the highest mark ever in the WHAC preseason poll for the Blue Devils, who return all six starters off last year's squad that went 17-11 overall, including 10-8 in the WHAC, and reached the conference tournament semifinals for the first time.

The Blue Devils were just six points behind Mount Vernon Nazarene (73), which received one first-place vote, and were ahead of Cornerstone (64) which also earned a first-place nod.

"it is awesome to see that we are gaining the respect from our WHAC members. However, it also shows us that there is still work to be done," stated head coach Jacob Paige, who enters his third season at the LTU helm two victories away becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history. "We were picked to finish eighth last year in the conference preseason rankings and we ended up making it to the second round of the conference championship. We hope to keep improving in the conference standings as we progress through the upcoming season."  

Reigning WHAC Libero of the Year graduate student Gustavo Heidrich, who also was a 2023 American Volleyball Coaches' Association All-America honorable mention pick, headlines the Blue Devils returnees. He racked up the second-most digs in the nation last season with 400. Junior outside hitter Jeffry Fuhrmann joined Heidrich on the All-WHAC First Team after posting 3.49 kills and 0.43 blocks per set.

"I expect our team to go out every night and play with honor and urgency," Paige said. "Our guys work very hard in the classroom and on the court. When the match starts, I want us to play hard for every point and leave it all out on the court. If we are urgent, play with passion and honor, the results will take care of themselves."

Other key returnees include junior All-WHAC second team setter Simon Phillip (9.12 assists per set, 0.44 blocks per set), redshirt junior outside hitter Brendon Down, graduate student outside hitter Matheus Andrade (1.55 kills per set, 1.41 digs per set, 2019 AVCA All-American at Lourdes) and sophomore middle blocker Akram Askoul, who earned 2023 WHAC All-Freshman Team honors with 2.07 kps, a .284 attack percentage and 0.96 bps.

Freshmen Mario Cid, an outside hitter, and Nathaniel Brownlee, a setter, are also expected to see time on the floor this spring.

Paige is focused on building upon last spring's historic successes that included the program's first-ever winning season since its 2016 inception and first national ranking (No. 15 at one point).

"Our goal for 2024 is to return to the WHAC Tournament and compete for the conference championship," he said. "Our team got some playoff experience last year and we hope to carry that deeper into season this year."

Lawrence Tech opens the 2024 campaign at home on Friday against non-conference opponent Olivet at the Don Ridler Field House. The match will follow the men's basketball game versus Great Lakes Christian College, which starts at 5 p.m.