WHAC Announces 2024 Men’s Volleyball Honors

LIVONIA, Mich. – The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men's volleyball team had multiple members honored by the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference on Thursday, April 18

Head Coach Doug Sherer was named as the Champions of Character Coach for the WHAC. Sherer, who won WHAC Coach of the Year in 2023, has earned the Champions of Character tag for the fourth consecutive season. Senior, Luke Funte joins Sherer and earned a spot on the Champions of Character team after exemplifying the five core values that the NAIA embraces throughout the season. These values are integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant-leadership.

Funte, who is from Grove City, Pennsylvania, also was named to the WHAC first team. Funte finished his season ranking fourth in the WHAC in blocks per set at 1.03. He was second in total blocks with 100 on the season. Spencer Stanley joins Funte on the first team after finishing the season fourth in the conference in kills per set at 3.70. The senior from Mount Vernon, Ohio was also fourth in total kills with 355. Landon Ewers also made first team after a strong senior season. The Mount Vernon native was eighth in the conference with 0.86 blocks per set and sixth in total blocks with 82. Ewers also proved strong offensively as he averaged 2.24 kills per set and hit an efficient .319.

Jaysen Matsumoto earned a spot on the WHAC second team. The senior from Kaneohe, Hawaii finished the year at sixth in the conference with 8.50 assists per set. Matsumoto, who has over 3,000 assists in his career at MVNU, finished with 850 total assists. Matsumoto was also strong defensively as he ranked seventh in the WHAC with 2.09 digs per set. His 209 digs was fourth most in the conference.

MVNU also saw three make the All-Academic Team. Cole Custodio (JR), Daniel Daly (JR), and Noah Wineberg (SO) each earned the recognition. Sophomores and above with a 3.25 cumulative GPA who have served a full year at their institution are eligible for the honor.

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 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.