The Mohawk Men’s Volleyball team has medalled in the Ontario College Athletics Association Finals six of the last seven years. Last year, the Mountaineers captured the silver after losing to the Nipissing Lakers, who would go on to win the national championship.

Though the team has lost three players to graduation, including team MVP Mo Sulaiman, head coach Matt Schnarr

expects his team to compete for the provincial championship again this year.

“We have many impact players returning,” said Schnarr. “All five of our incoming recruits are future impact players as well.”

Schnarr is particularly keen on new recruits Bryce Marcussen and Jason Mueller.

Marcussen stands at a towering 7 feet 1 inch and will be the tallest player to ever suit up for the Mountaineers. Though he has yet to don the burgundy, red and orange, Marcussen is already a provincial and national team candidate according to his coach.

Schnarr is excited about his setter recruit Jason Mueller due to his height as well. Though not a skyscraper like Marcussen, Mueller is very tall for the setter position standing at 6 feet 5 inches.

With the combination of talented incoming youth and thirteen returning veterans, it is no surprise there are high expectations for the 2013 season.

“I think our team should be in the top eight again this year. This past season we won silver in Ontario and lost to the national champion. I think we should be contending for a provincial gold medal again this upcoming season.”

Schnarr’s opinion is shared by Steve Pawelczyk, one of the most decorated players to ever compete for the Men’s Volleyball team. Pawelczyk played from 2005 to 2009 and again in 2011. He received a provincial medal in all five seasons, was a three-time OCAA First Team All-Star, and in 2009 he was the OCAA Player of the Year, a CCAA All-Canadian, and was a nominee for the Canadian College Athletic Association Player of the Year award.

“The team will compete for the championship again this year,” said Pawelczyk, who follows his alma mater intently. “Look out for second year left side Trevor McLaughlin. He had an excellent rookie campaign and will turn out to be a star in the league.”

The Mountaineers first test of the season will be on September 14 when they take on Pawelczyk and other former players in the Alumni Game.