Men’s Volleyball Picked Tied for Seventh in WHAC Preseason Poll

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's volleyball team is set to start its 2026 season on January 22 at the Olivet Nazarene Tournament in Bourbonnais, Illinois at 4:00 p.m. against Graceland. 

The Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference released its men's volleyball preseason rankings, and MVNU was picked to finish tied for seventh with Goshen College. Lawrence Tech was projected to finish first. 

Head Coach Doug Sherer begins his sixth year leading the program and is eager to build on last season's progress. MVNU returns ten players from the 2025 roster and adds three newcomers to round out the squad. 

Senior outside hitter Jackson Bush, a Roseville, California native, returns after posting 124 kills and 110 digs last season. Noah Wineberg, a senior opposite hitter from Weirton, West Virginia, also anchors the lineup after recording 154 kills and 68 blocks in 2025. Ethan Cline also returns, giving MVNU another threat offensively. The junior outside hitter from Mount Vernon, Ohio totaled 161 kills for the Cougars last season. 

Tyler Monnin returns to help anchor the backrow. The junior from Xenia, Ohio finished last season with 171 digs in 25 matches. 

Coach Sherer has bolstered the roster with three talented freshmen in Jaxson Snell, Tommy Tierney, and Elisha Thao—who are expected to bring additional depth and skill to the men's volleyball team this spring. 

MVNU will open its home schedule on Tuesday, January 27, hosting Indiana East at 6:00 p.m. in Ariel Arena. 

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,200 students from 36 states, 1 U.S. commonwealth and 41 foreign countries.