The Johnson & Wales University Men's Volleyball Team completed their 2008 season earlier this month at the MAMVIC-West Conference Tournament in Marshall, MO. Coming into the tournament as the #3 seed in the conference, Johnson & Wales drew #2 seed Lindenwood University (ranked #5 in the country) in the semi-finals, which took place on April 4th. Although these same two teams played two very close matches three weeks earlier during the regular season, this match was controlled from start to finish by Lindenwood as the Lions won 3-0 (30-23, 30-23, 30-18). Johnson & Wales was led on the day by junior Eric Kiel's (Long Beach, CA) 9 kills and a trio of players that each recorded 8 digs; seniors Chance and Cody Dunston (Aurora, CO) and junior Brad Larsen (Costa Mesa, CA).

Although the season ended on a sour note at the conference tournament, 2008 was a successful season for Johnson & Wales in a variety of ways. Recording a 13-9 overall record (10-9 in varsity competitions), JWU finished this season as the #7 ranked NAIA program in the country. Statistically, Johnson & Wales set program records in 2008 for most digs per game (13.09) and for fewest service errors per game (3.07).

In addition to their team accomplishments in 2008, Johnson & Wales had several players earn individual awards. Setter Cody Dunston was recognized for the second year in a row as First Team All-Conference, and he was named the NAIA National Player of the Week for the week of February 4th through February 11th. Junior Hapaki Kaululaau (Laie, HI) was named the NAIA National Libero of the Week three different times throughout the season.

On the academic side, Johnson & Wales' players (with a team grade point average of 3.05) earned 4 of the 11 Academic All-Conference Awards that were given, which was more than from any other school in the conference. Academic All-Conference Awards went to four-time winners Cody Dunston (3.49 GPA) and Senior Ty Schraufnagel (Parker, CO) (3.68 GPA) as well as to first-time winners Hapaki Kaululaau (3.34 GPA) and Brad Larsen (3.35 GPA).

JWU players set several new individual school records during the 2008 season, and those records are as follows:

• Career Kills - 637 - Eric Kiel

• Career Hitting Percentage - .313 - Ty Schraufnagel

• Career Blocks - 253 - Ty Schraufnagel

• Career Blocks Per Game - .88 - Ben Davies

• Career Digs - 638 - Cody Dunston

• Career Digs Per Game - 3.02 - Hapaki Kaululaau

• Career Assists - 2498 - Cody Dunston

With the end of the 2008 season, Johnson & Wales Men's Volleyball says goodbye to four seniors who have been instrumental in establishing the program as a national power. Seniors Chance Dunston, Cody Dunston, Nathan LaHanes (Colorado Springs, CO), and Ty Schraufnagel each graduate holding at least one JWU career or single season record. While these seniors will surely be missed, with the number of impressive underclassmen that are returning for 2009 and the infusion of new talent through solid recruiting classes in the future, the Johnson & Wales University Men's Volleyball Program seeks to continue to reach new heights in the coming seasons!