Men’s volleyball #2 in U.S.

Three Fresno State graduate students discussed their efforts to balance their academics and athletics in an article about the men’s volleyball team in the Fresno Bee Neighbors CityView.

The team, a club sport, is ranked No. 2 in the nation in the latest poll from The National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. The team is coached by Brian Tsukimura, a Fresno State biology professor.

The team won the Great Western ShootOut (March 6-7) and the Northern California Collegiate Volleyball League seeding tournament (March 12-13-14 ). 

The win at the Great Western ShootOut was the second consecutive victory at that tournament for Fresno State . Outside hitter Will Nelson of Fresno State was named MVP and two other players, Larry Orender, a middle hitter, and Adam Parks, a right side hitter, were named to the All-tournament Team.

During the tournament Fresno State defeated a number of ranked teams: Texas A&M (19), Illinois (13), Hope International (#9 NAIA), Indiana  (4), Colorado (11) and California (7), and San Francisco State .

At the NCCVL tournament, Fresno State defeated Cal (7), Cal Poly (9), Chico State , San Francisco State , San Jose State , Santa Clara and Sacramento State . The team’s only loss was to UC Davis (12). Tsukimura said the team’s victory was a major feat, considering it was without two starters, Parks and Orender.