HAMBURG, N.Y. - The Hilbert College men's volleyball team opens the 2017 season at Wittenberg University's Jim Coleman Invitational this weekend.  

The Hawks will face Wittenberg at 6pm (Live video/live stats) and Cincinnati Christian (Live stats) at 8pm Friday, January 20.

Hilbert closes the invitational Saturday afternoon when they challenge Southern Virginia (Live video/live stats) at 3:30pm January 21.

Fans can follow results of the entire invitational program by following this LINK.

Head coach Christopher Krueger enters his third season guiding the Hawks.  He welcomes back a three veterans who helped the Hawks set a new program win record a year ago (11-17, 8-8 NEAC). 

Guiding the offense will be senior setter Adam Heftka, the current program's All-Time assist leader (1,986) who set a new single season record with 773 assists last year.  His main passing target will be to sophomore outside hitter Michael Podgorny, a 2nd Team all conference selection in both the NEAC and AMCC leagues after he averaged 2.77 kills and 1.67 digs per set.  Also returning is junior Tanner Makowski, last season's Most Improved Player on the team.  The middle blocker came on strong as the season progressed and finished with a 1.33 kills per set average.

The Hawks roster will be loaded with several newcomers who will all be credited with a first-year collegiate experience on the court.  

Freshman setter Nicholas Rice joins the program after playing at Kenmore East the last two seasons.  

Four seniors who have worn the royal and white during their athletic careers while in Hamburg will be turning in their cleats for sneakers.  

Anthony Pellicano, Brandon Henry, Kurtis Maloney and Nathaniel Hyman are bringing their out-door competitive attitudes to the hardwood for the volleyball program.  Pellicano, Henry and Malone have helped the Hawks' soccer program over the last three years and Hyman, a 2015 1st Team NEAC midfielder for the lacrosse team will attempt to do both team sports in his final season of athletics before he graduates in May. 

Junior Garrett Rehner will be joined by sophomores Caleb Nellis and Yannic Sandy to complete the team.  Rehner, a three-year soccer starter and a former lacrosse player, combines with Nellis who will have to put his golf club away while swinging his arms in a different motion this spring.  Sandy is familiar with the team and program as he served as the team's manager during his first year of college.

Earlier this week, the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) released the men's volleyball preseason poll, as selected by the nine league coaches.  Hilbert was picked to finish in 8th place after a program best, 5th place finish a year earlier.