The New York University men's volleyball team begins the 2026 season this weekend competing at the Slug Slam hosted by the University of California Santa Cruz. 

This year's roster includes a fresh group of young players, as well as high expectations.

Last year, the Violets were stacked with veterans who led the program to a No. 1 national ranking, an undefeated regular season, and a United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Championship. The season ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a loss to Cal Lutheran, one of this weekend's opponents.

This year, 10 freshmen join the roster as the team works to maintain its championship culture.

Jake Upham, a senior outside hitter, Emerson Evans, a junior right-side hitter, and Bennet Tchaikovsky, a sophomore libero, will serve as captains of the young squad.

Evans brings significant court experience as one of just two returning starters. Last season, he earned American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Second Team All-American honors and averaged 3.92 points per set, the fifth-highest mark in the UVC. He sees lots of potential in this year's group, and has sights set on bringing a national championship trophy to New York.

"There's a lot of talent on our side of the court," Evans explained. "It's going to be fun to see how it all plays out." 

Tchaikovsky, is also embracing the team's new look.

"I'm super excited to begin this season with an entirely new group of starters and continue the success from last year," Tchaikovsky said. 

The program's tight-knit, family-oriented culture remains a cornerstone of the team. Freshman BoJameson Ebeling demonstrates that literally as he joins his older brother Angus, one of three senior Violets.

Ebeling is expected to be an impact newcomer. He will help fill the void left by graduates Lucas Osiecki and Luke Boyer, two powerhouses on the outside for the Violets last year. 

Freshmen Charles Clifford, Artyom Derkach and Dhruv Prathipati are also threats in the Violets' new lineup. 

Head Coach Jose Pina, now in his 33rd year leading the program, is ready to guide this young roster.

"Coming off a two-year period in which the team made it to the last four and last eight teams in the NCAA Championship Tournament, that squad was led by a group of talented upperclassmen who were multiple-time All-Americans and All-UVC honorees," Pina expressed. "Those five student-athletes will be missed as we embark on what can be called a reconstruction year."

First up for the Violets: Conordia University at 9pm EST tonight.....