Men's Volleyball takes down Lakeland, Kolek reaches 400 career wins

(Sheboygan, Wisconsin) Rivier University Men's Volleyball defeated Lakeland College 3-1 to improve to 8-7 on the season. The #12 Raiders were paced by senior Chris Markuson (Cupertino, CA) who scored a match high 20 kills while chipping in with 7 digs, 3 blocks, and 2 service aces.

Rivier (8-7, 3-1 GNAC) Head Coach Craig Kolek reached a major milestone with the victory. Kolek, now in his 19th season with the Raiders, reached 400 wins in his career. Kolek becomes only the 2nd coach in NCAA Division 3 Men's Volleyball history to reach the 400 win milestone.

"We have had a lot of great players wearing the Raider uniform and this is more about them than me. They are the ones who have played the games and put in the hard work on the court to achieve for our university. It's an honor to have coached so many great people and it is very satisfying to see their hard work rewarded." Rivier's Head Coach Craig Kolek stated. "To be one of the smallest universities in the NCAA and to have accomplished as much as we have over the years is a tremendous feeling."

Kolek currently stands at 400 wins and 201 losses for a .665 winning percentage during his 19 seasons which includes 7 GNAC Championships ('08-'14), 6 NECVA New England Championships ('01-'06), 2 Final 4 appearances, and 2 Elite 8 appearances. In 2006 he was named the AVCA National Coach of the Year, and has also garnished 4 NECVA Coach of the Year ('04, '05, '06, '09) and 2 GNAC Coach of the Year ('09, '13) awards.

Along with the men's program, Kolek also is the current coach of the women's volleyball program at Rivier. Kolek, who just completed his 16thseason coaching the Raider women, currently stands with a 339-166 record including 6 GNAC Championships ('03, '07, '08, '11, '13, '14) and 3 GNAC Coach of the Year ('03, '10, '12 ) honors.