1/8/2026
A Tall Task: Brewers Balance Championship Aspirations with Conference Move
Poughkeepsie, NY – As winter practices approach, Vassar College men’s volleyball stands at a unique crossroads. The Brewers are coming off a strong 22-7 campaign that saw them reach the UVC semifinals, and they’re returning a core of veteran leaders alongside an intriguing freshman class. But 2026 represents more than just another season – it’s a bridge year before the program joins the prestigious NEWMAC conference in 2026-27.
Head coach Richard Gary, the winningest coach in program history with 180 career victories, is entering his 10th season at the helm. The 2023 AVCA National Coach of the Year has built Vassar into a perennial Division III powerhouse, with three straight NCAA Tournament appearances and the 2024 National Championship runner-up finish still fresh in everyone’s memory.
Size Matters: A Towering Front Line
Walk into Kenyon Hall and you’ll immediately notice what sets this Vassar team apart… sheer size. With an average height of approximately 6’4″, the 2026 roster features some of the most imposing front lines in Division III volleyball. Leading the way is freshman opposite Carroll Jenkins, who checks in at a jaw-dropping 6’9″. Joining him at the net is sophomore middle blocker Stuart Dow at 6’8″, sophomore outside hitter Shawn Zheng at 6’7″, junior outside hitter Walter Birnbaum at 6’6″, and junior middle blocker Armaan Desai at 6’8″.
The Foundation: Returning Impact Players
The Brewers return significant production from their 2025 squad, led by junior middle blocker Armaan Desai, who earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-American honors last season. The Pennington, New Jersey native was the team’s defensive anchor with 86 total blocks and added 151 kills while hitting an efficient .408. Desai’s breakout sophomore campaign also earned him AVCA Division III National Player of the Week honors in April.
Senior middle blocker Gavin Akoto returns after earning All-UVC Second Team honors in 2025. The Justice, Illinois native recorded 126 kills with a .337 hitting percentage and 59 total blocks. Akoto’s experience and leadership will be crucial as the Brewers navigate this transition season.
Junior outside hitter Walter Birnbaum earned All-UVC Second Team honors in 2025, sharing the distinction with Akoto as one of the Brewers’ top performers. The 6’6″ La Jolla, California native was a consistent offensive threat throughout the season, including a team-high 17-kill performance in the UVC semifinal match against Nazareth. Birnbaum’s ability to terminate from the pin and contribute in transition makes him a key piece of Vassar’s offensive system. His development to all-conference performer exemplifies the player development that has become a hallmark of Gary’s program.
Junior libero Tucker Shearn provides stability in the back row. The Englewood, Colorado native led Vassar in 2025 with 191 digs (2.20 per set) and was named to the UVC All-Academic Team. His consistency and court awareness make him the quarterback of Vassar’s defense.
Sophomore opposite Henry Bonney showed promise as a freshman, appearing in 55 sets and tallying 54 kills with 31 blocks. His career-high 12-kill performance against SUNY New Paltz demonstrated his potential as a go-to scorer.
Fresh Faces: The Freshman Class
The 2026 roster features eight freshmen, including several players who bring impressive size and athleticism:
- Carroll Jenkins (6’9″ OPP, Los Angeles, CA) – The crown jewel of the freshman class, Jenkins’ combination of height and mobility makes him an immediate impact player. At 6’9″, he’s one of the tallest players in Division III volleyball. Watch out for the big left handed swing.
- George Idowu (6’7″ MB, Burtonsville, MD) – Another towering presence at middle blocker who could see significant playing time.
- Mason Cochran (6’4″ MB, Friendswood, TX) – A physics major who brings both brains and athleticism to the middle.
- Peter Krackeler (6’2″ OH, Saratoga Springs, NY) – A local product who could contribute right away on the outside.
The freshman class also includes setter Kaden Chen (6’3″, Gilbert, AZ), whose size at the setter position gives Vassar additional blocking options.
Academic Excellence: The Vassar Way
What truly separates Vassar from many volleyball programs is the academic caliber of its student-athletes. The 2026 roster is heavily weighted toward STEM majors, with players pursuing degrees in biochemistry, physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and economics.
The team recently earned the AVCA Team Academic Award, and Gary’s teams consistently see 70% of their athletes make the Dean’s List. Junior setter Parker Schoenl, junior middle blocker Armaan Desai, and senior middle blocker Doug Chandler all balance rigorous biochemistry coursework with Division III volleyball at its highest level.
Coaching Staff: Experience and Innovation
Richard Gary enters his 10th season with assistant coach Lauren Moran, who joined the staff in 2023 and helped guide the team to the 2024 NCAA National Championship game. Moran also coaches at Arlington High School, bringing a connection to the local volleyball community.
Gary’s resume speaks for itself: 180-63 overall record at Vassar, 2023 AVCA National Coach of the Year, and architect of the program’s rise to national prominence. His teams have reached the NCAA Tournament six times, including back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances in 2023 and 2024.
Conference Realignment: The NEWMAC Era Approaches
While the 2026 season will be Vassar’s final campaign in the United Volleyball Conference, the announcement of the NEWMAC move looms large. Beginning in 2026-27, Vassar will join Springfield College, MIT, Emerson, Wheaton, NYU, and SUNY New Paltz as part of what many consider the premier men’s volleyball conference in Division III.
The NEWMAC is expected to be incredibly competitive. The conference includes programs that have combined for multiple national championships. Springfield alone has won five since 2012.
For now, though, Vassar’s focus remains on the 2026 UVC season. The conference includes perennial powers like NYU (26-1 in 2025), SUNY New Paltz, and Nazareth, ensuring the Brewers will be battle-tested before the NCAA Tournament.
Championship Window
With a roster that blends experience, size, and an impressive freshman class, Vassar enters 2026 with legitimate championship aspirations. The Brewers have proven they can compete with anyone. They pushed national champion Cal Lutheran to the limit in the 2024 title match and consistently rank in the top 10 nationally.
The core of juniors Desai, Shearn, Schoenl, and Walter Birnbaum provides veteran leadership. The addition of Jenkins and the other freshmen adds depth and talent. And Gary’s track record suggests this team will be prepared, disciplined, and competitive.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 season represents a unique opportunity for Vassar volleyball. It’s the final chapter of the UVC era, a chance to add to the program’s trophy case before embarking on the NEWMAC adventure. With Richard Gary at the helm and a roster that checks all the boxes, the Brewers are positioned to make this transition season a memorable one.
Expect Vassar to be ranked near the top all season long. Expect Armaan Desai to be on All-American watch lists. And expect Kenyon Hall to be rocking as the Brewers chase their first national championship.
The pieces are in place.
Editor’s Note: This article was based on preliminary roster information for the 2026 season. For the most up-to-date information, visit vassarathletics.com.