Lori E. Varlotta President | Official website of California Lutheran University
Lori E. Varlotta President | Official website of California Lutheran University
The Cal Lutheran men's volleyball team, known as the "17 strong," achieved a significant milestone by winning their first NCAA Division III national championship. Before their success, the team held a meeting in Iowa to determine which of their 16 core values were most important to them. They settled on adaptability, sacrifice, passion, and hard work.
On April 28 at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, they defeated Vassar College in three sets: 25-22, 25-23, 25-23. Two days prior, they overcame the previous year's champions, Stevens Institute of Technology, after being two games behind.
The team members include Parker Brown, Jordan Cooper, Connor Crawford, Borys Horiuk, Grant Hughes, Ryker Linn, Logan Marks, Taylor Marks, Landen Meonske, Trent Rigney, Noah Rigo, Vince Semon, Michael Stahl, Braden Swenningsen, Jake Tucker, Ben Weber and Matthew Wilcox. Head coach Kevin Judd and assistant coaches Chuck English and Ron Higa lead them.
Judd formed Cal Lutheran's men's volleyball team in 2015. Initially recruiting from within the university's sports teams and junior colleges for talent. He recalled that early on they "lacked that ability to close out a match" but eventually began defeating stronger teams from other regions.
Cal Lutheran is an independent school with only one other Division III men’s volleyball competitor in California: UC Santa Cruz. This means extensive travel for competitions due to regional game requirements set by the NCAA. The team faced challenges qualifying for championships but managed through strategic scheduling.
In the championship match against Vassar College “all three sets were within 2 points,” according to Judd. Jordan Cooper led with 394 kills this season while Michael Stahl had 371 kills and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament.
Stahl emphasized teamwork over individual achievements saying he doesn’t play well without his teammates' support. Both he and Cooper will return next season along with several other players.
Reflecting on their journey together during a pizza celebration after their victory—a moment cut short by an early flight—Ben Weber noted how even celebrations demonstrated their commitment to adaptability and sacrifice.
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