Thanks to returning six of last season's seven starters Lewis men's volleyball head coach Dan Friend is feeling good about his 2012 squad. Five of the six returning starters have been named All-Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association in their career, meaning Lewis returns the most All-MIVA selections in the conference in 2012.
 
“The group understands what it takes to win the MIVA and a national championship,” Friend said. “Some of the guys have been in the trenches more than others but they know the due diligence you need day-to-day to get where we need to be by the end of April.”
 
Last year Lewis was the only MIVA team to defeat eventual national champion Ohio State. The Flyers topped the Buckeyes 3-1 on April 2 in front of a capacity crowd at Neil Carey Arena in a match which was aired on Lakeshore Public Television. Matching that level of play is what the Flyers will aim for in 2012.
 
The Flyers' experienced core starts in the middle with a pair of fifth-year senior middle hitters in Aaron Flick (North Ridgeville, Ohio/St. Edward) and Matt Gallik (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice). Both were All-MIVA Second Team selections last season as they both recorded over 100 blocks for a second consecutive season.
 
“Aaron is a returning captain and Matt is a captain for the first time this season and I think that shows both of their maturity and improvement on the mental side of the game over their time at Lewis,” Friend said. “Both of them are part of the second group to come through the program after the first has reestablished it. They've worked hard for five years to take that next step and be in a position to win the MIVA.”
 
The flip side of an experienced team is the following season when those players graduate. With that in mind, look for sophomore Yiwei Zhou (Nanjing, China/Nanjing No. 1) and redshirt freshman James Hofmann (Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop McNicholas) to see time at the middle hitter spot this season as reserves and in preparation for 2013.
 
“We're going to kill Aaron and Matt if we play them 100 games so Yiwei and James will need to contribute for us this year,” Friend said. “Both have really progressed over the past year and bring a different dynamic. Yiwei is super offensive and can sideout with anyone in the conference. James is a huge block and he'll need to step up when we need that in our lineup.”
 
Lewis started freshman BJ Boldog (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) at setter and Roberto Torres-Davis (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico/Colegio San Benito) at libero last season. Both now return with a year of experience. Boldog was named to the All-MIVA Second Team. In conference contests, Boldog ranked second in the MIVA with 9.89 assists per set. Torres-Davis recorded 16 digs in Lewis' win at Long Beach State last year. He was one of four players in the MIVA to average better than two digs per set.
 
“It's nice to have the stability with those two guys,” Friend said. “The challenge for them is to use that experience from last season and push their game to the next level.”
 
If Boldog and Torres-Davis need some advice on taking that next step, they can talk to junior outside hitter Jay Petty (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North). Last season was a breakout year for Petty, earning All-MIVA First Team honors and back-to-back MIVA Offensive Player of the Week awards. He was at his best in crunch time. Petty recorded nine kills in the fifth set of Lewis' win at Long Beach State and Lewis' final three points of their 3-2 win over IPFW in the MIVA Tournament.
 
“Jay has the potential to be an All-American and now he's learned how his body reacts through 100 games in a season,” Friend said. “He needs to take the next step physically and mentally to meet his individual goals and in turn help the team play at another level.”
 
Petty will be joined by a new starting outside hitter at the L2 spot due to the graduation of Brian Muesenfechter (St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers). The favorites at the spot look to be redshirt freshman Geoff Powell (Claremont, Calif./Claremont) and freshman Greg Petty (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North).
 
“Geoff came in as an opposite and outside but we've moved him only to outside now,” Friend said. “He really used his redshirt year well both physically and mentally. The key for him will be his ball control. That will ultimately decide where he fits in.”
 
Greg Petty (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) is in his first season at Lewis however is very familiar with Lewis as Jay Petty (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) is his brother. Greg Petty (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) was a member of the USA Volleyball Youth National Team which competed at the Boys Youth Pan America Games in Mexico last summer. Friend served as an assistant coach on the team.
 
“Greg really benefited from his international experience,” Friend said. “He brings a different size and strength to the position and I'm eager to see what he shows during the beginning of the season.”
 
Junior Ian Karbiener (Orlando, Fla./Olympia) returns to the opposite hitter spot in 2012. The 2010 MIVA Freshman of the Year took home a MIVA Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 22 last season.
 
“Ian will tell you he didn't have the sophomore season he wanted to,” Friend said. “He's really worked on the mental side of the game and he's in a good position to take a step forward this year.”
 
Karbiener and the rest of Lewis' expected starting lineup will enter the 2012 season with a combined 311 collegiate starts. That type of experience gives Friend the opportunity to play a tough schedule right out of the gates. It starts with a pair of contests at Pepperdine and then a trip to the Outrigger Invitational in Hawaii to face UCLA, Springfield College and Hawaii. Following Lewis' trip west the Flyers welcome Penn State to Neil Carey Arena for the 2012 home opener on Jan. 21.
 
“I've never started a season with a schedule like this during my time at Lewis where we'll play several top 10 teams right away,” Friend said. “It's going to be good to see where we are at and to see what needs to be done to play at the level needed to win a national championship.”
 
If you're looking for a few key reserves for the Flyers in 2012, check out redshirt freshman Eric Butch (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South) and senior outside hitter Omar Sanchez (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South). Butch has been converted from an outside to a setter while Sanchez has three seasons at Lewis under Friend. Butch and Sanchez will both sub in to serve during key points of matches.
 
Lewis balances their experience with eight true freshmen and one junior college transfer.
 
“The newcomers had a good fall of learning the system and getting in the weight room,” Friend said. “In addition to Greg Petty (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North), Eric Fitterer (Edwardsville, Ill./Edwardsville) is a big strong opposite hitter from St. Louis who has stood out this fall. Eric Varney (Oak Park, Calif./Oak Park) is a junior transfer libero who has shown some great potential. Plus we feel good about the rest of the younger guys and where they are headed.”
 
An experienced core group, a challenging schedule, throw in home matches against Ball State and Ohio State on Lakeshore Public Television and a preseason No. 13 ranking; sounds like all the makings for an exciting 2012.