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December 29, 2007

Season Outlook

France Begins Rebuilding Raiders

NEWARK, NJ - Rutgers-Newark begins the 2008 season in a new environment with a new head coach.

First-year head coach Karl France has seven letterwinners back from last season's 2-26 men's volleyball team at Rutgers-Newark. It was the worst mark in the proud 32-year history of the program.

But, France has pushed forward, never looking back, since being named the new mentor in June. The former NYU assistant coach who also directed the men's program at Mount St. Vincent, has brought in five new players to the Scarlet Raiders to help begin the rebuilding process.

The Raiders will compete in the EIVA Hay Division for the first time ever. Rutgers-Newark dropped from the EIVA Tait Division after posting an 0-12 mark in 2007. Rutgers-Newark is picked to finish third in the six-team division by league coaches, behind Springfield and NYU.

Sophomore outside hitter Nate Stott tops the list of returnees after averaging 2.34 kills as a rookie.

Also back from last year's starting rotation are junior libero/outside hitter Derek Wolfe and sophomore middle blocker Jon Keller.

The biggest holes to fill are at outside hitter, where two-time All-EIVA choice Eric Honsberger is gone following a spectacular four-year career, and setter, where 6-foot-8 Mark Hulse has transferred to Pepperdine.

The Raiders get down to business on January 11th with a road trip to St. Francis. Rutgers-Newark will have five matches under its belt before taking on neighborhood rival NJIT in The Golden Dome on Wednesday, January 30, at 7 o'clock.



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Conference News 2005-06 \| 2006-07 \| 2007-08 \| 2008-09 \| 2009-10 \| 2010-11 \| 2011-12 December 29, 2007 Season Outlook France Begins Rebuilding Raiders NEWARK, NJ - Rutgers-Newark begins the 2008 season in a new environment with a new head coach. First-year head coach Karl France has seven letterwinners back from last season's 2-26 men's volleyball team at Rutgers-Newark. It was the worst mark in the proud 32-year history of the program. But, France has pushed forward, never looking back, since being named the new mentor in June. The former NYU assistant coach who also directed the men's program at Mount St. Vincent, has brought in five new players to the Scarlet Raiders to help begin the rebuilding process. The Raiders will compete in the EIVA Hay Division for the first time ever. Rutgers-Newark dropped from the EIVA Tait Division after posting an 0-12 mark in 2007. Rutgers-Newark is picked to finish third in the six-team division by league coaches, behind Springfield and NYU. Sophomore outside hitter Nate Stott tops the list of returnees after averaging 2.34 kills as a rookie. Also back from last year's starting rotation are junior libero/outside hitter Derek Wolfe and sophomore middle blocker Jon Keller. The biggest holes to fill are at outside hitter, where two-time All-EIVA choice Eric Honsberger is gone following a spectacular four-year career, and setter, where 6-foot-8 Mark Hulse has transferred to Pepperdine. The Raiders get down to business on January 11th with a road trip to St. Francis. Rutgers-Newark will have five matches under its belt before taking on neighborhood rival NJIT in The Golden Dome on Wednesday, January 30, at 7 o'clock.