Men’s volleyball: Olivet accepted into Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Olivet College men's volleyball program is one of four schools to recently be accepted for membership into the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL). Olivet along with the three other new schools – Adrian College, Marian (Wis.) University and Wittenberg (Ohio) University – will begin competing in the MCVL in 2015-16.

These four new schools bring the membership in the MCVL to 14 institutions. Currently, there are eight schools – Benedictine (Ill.) University, Carthage (Wis.) College, Dominican (Ill.) University, Fontbonne (Mo.) University, Lakeland (Wis.) College, Loras (Iowa) College and Milwaukee (Wis.) School of Engineering – ready to begin MCVL play in 2015. In September, the MCVL announced Greenville (Ill.) College and North Central (Ill.) gained membership in the MCVL, also starting in 2015-16.

Olivet announced in Sept. 2013 that men's volleyball will be an intercollegiate club sport for the 2014-15, academic year. Casey Hilts was named the Comets' head coach and his current roster features 15 players.

"I am excited about Olivet joining the MCVL," stated Hilts. "Becoming an official NCAA sport and being a member of the MCVL will allow us to attract high level players to Olivet. I am confident we will be able to field a competitive team in our first season in the MCVL."

Men's volleyball now becomes the 23rd varsity sport at Olivet. The NCAA has sponsored an official Division III men's volleyball national championship since 2012. The winner of the MCVL tournament will receive an automatic bid in the NCAA national championships, beginning in 2017.

"We are thrilled to be accepted for membership into the MCVL," said Olivet Athletic Director Dave Sichterman. "This is a great opportunity for the men's volleyball program to compete against some of the best NCAA Division III programs in the country."