WATERTOWN, Wis. --- The Athletic Department of Maranatha Baptist University has announced the addition of Men's Volleyball as an NCAA varsity intercollegiate sport, beginning in the 2017-18 season. Details regarding the schedule for the team's first intercollegiate season are yet to be announced.

The move to add Men's Volleyball is to capitalize on the established success of the team as a club sport - a status that the team has maintained since the 2013-14 season.

"Following our own institutional policies for adding a sport…this one just makes sense", says MBU Athletic Director, Rob Thompson. "The number of participants, the success in competition, and the support of the student body, staff, and faculty make this decision an easy one."

"The coaching duo of Regina DeLozier and Torey Rosen has been tabbed as head and assistant coaches, and were the logical choice," Thompson said.

DeLozier has been at the helm of the MBU Women's Volleyball team since 2007 and has acted as head coach of the Men's Volleyball team since its inception three seasons ago. DeLozier holds a record of 220-105 with the Women's Volleyball team and coached the team to consecutive NCCAA DII national championships in 2015 and 2016.

Torey (DeLozier) Rosen is the most awarded volleyball player in MBU history, both at the NCAA and NCCAA levels. She was the NCAA National Statistical Champion five times during her career, (2009-2013), received NCAA Top 30 Women of the Year recognition in 2012, and was the NCCAA DII Player of the Year (2011, 2012) and Game Plan for LIFE (GP4L) recipient in 2013.

"I am excited to coach," said DeLozier. "We will work hard to build on the success of the club team over the past three seasons. To help us in building the program, we are incorporating boys volleyball into our summer camp program during the individual week (July 24-29)."

Since 2013-14, the team has seen increased success and popularity. Their first home match was a memorable one, as they defeated Northland International 3-1 in front of a packed house (pictured right).

The team is currently in the midst of their season and holds an 8-8 record, which includes a 7-2 record in Division III of the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference.

"This is a step in the right direction, and we are excited to add the sport to our sponsored offerings," Thompson stated. 

The team will leave the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference upon gaining intercollegiate status, and will begin as an unaffiliated (independent) team.

For more on the Men's Volleyball team, visit their team page (click here) and their Facebook page (click here)