2002 COLONIALS ON THE RISE

With more than half of the team returning, the Colonials are in top shape for a productive season. After switching into the Hay Division last year, Southampton Graduate Campus men's volleyball team overcame 2000's record of 5-22 and ended 2001 15-10 overall and 6-7 in league.

Historically, the men's volleyball is one of Southampton's most successful programs. In the 1990s, the team won five titles. The team will be led by new coach Carmen Walker, a Division I women's standout, and returning assistant coach Chris Kies on the sidelines.

Returnees include Peter Wawrzyniak (155 kills in 2001), Matt Vilbas, Scott Schult (246 kills), Jeff Vaikness, John Lee, Joe Daigler (280 kills and 134 digs), and Can Ozturk. Newcomers are Sean Preuss, Ionut Ghira, and Marc Gaydos, and Christian Mazzarella.

New to the Colonials is head coach Carmen Walker, who brings an impressive resume to the court. Walker grew up in Englewood, Colorado, where she played volleyball for Cherry Creek High School, Front Range Volleyball Club and Boulder Volleyball Club. During this time (1992-1996), Walker received the Coach's Award, made First Team All-State and First Team All Conference, captained her team to a 23-3 mark during her senior year and was a vital force in the team's winning League and District Championship Titles.

Walker went on to play four years of collegiate volleyball for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where she graduated from in May 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences. Her team won three straight Southern Conference Tournament Championships, claimed back-to-back Southern Conference Tournament Regular Season titles and made two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Walker earned First Team All Conference honors twice and First Team All Tournament once. She was team captain in 1999. From 1996-1999, Walker played on a team that had an overall record of 100-40. She resides in East Hampton.

Returning for his second year as assistant coach is Chris Kies, 24, who graduated from Southampton Graduate Campus in 2000 with a B.S. in Education. While Kies played for the Colonials as an outside hitter, the team won the Division II Championship twice. Kies had over 750 kills, 500 digs and 40 aces. He was named Best Defensive Player in 2000. He was also the assistant coach for the Lady Colonials under Ray MacLean in 2000 and Jaak Raudsepp in 2001.

Roster