The NYU Violets men’s volleyball team enters the 2026 season with continued high expectations following a historic campaign in 2025. Head Coach Jose Pina, an NYU alumnus, guides the program in his 34th season, having amassed over 450 career victories and built one of Division III’s most consistent contenders with multiple conference titles and national tournament appearances.
2025 Season Recap
The Violets delivered an outstanding 26-1 overall record in 2025, including a perfect 23-0 regular season and a 7-0 conference mark in the United Volleyball Conference (UVC). The team captured its second consecutive UVC championship, hosted early NCAA Tournament rounds, and advanced to the quarterfinals. NYU led nationally with a .334 hitting percentage, averaging 13.1 kills per set, 12.3 assists per set, 2.0 service aces per set, 9.6 digs per set, and 2.4 blocks per set across 92 sets.
Standout individual performances included Emerson Evans (293 kills, 3.18 per set, 36 aces, 58.0 blocks), Lucas Osiecki (287 kills, 3.34 per set, 51 aces), Luke Boyer (207 kills, 2.38 per set, 41 aces), Ry Kagan (174 kills, 83.0 blocks), Buddy Cohen (149 kills, 87.0 blocks), and setter Devyn Nguyen (911 assists, 10.35 per set, earning UVC Co-Player of the Year honors).
Graduating Players and Departures
The program graduates several impactful seniors who provided elite production and leadership. Key departures include Lucas Osiecki, a dynamic outside hitter with 287 kills and a team-leading 51 service aces; Luke Boyer, versatile with 207 kills and 41 aces; middle blockers Buddy Cohen and Ry Kagan, who combined for 170 blocks; and libero Zach Knudsen, the digs leader with 191. These athletes contributed immensely to the championship success and leave a strong foundation of excellence.
Returning Players
A talented group of 12 returners brings proven experience and All-Conference caliber play. Junior setter Devyn Nguyen returns to direct the offense after his award-winning season. Junior right side Emerson Evans, the UVC Championship MVP, leads the attack with his 293 kills. Additional veterans include senior Angus Ebeling (RS), senior Jake Upham (OH), senior Jerry Feng (OH), junior Ethan Du (MH, 6’7″), junior Jeremy Li (OH), junior Matthew Warter (OH), sophomore Krish Vasan (S), sophomore Gabriel Bialek (RS), sophomore Bennet Tchaikovsky (L), and junior Dylan Hsu (L). This core offers height, versatility, and significant starting experience from the 2025 squad.
New Additions: Incoming Freshmen Class of 2026
The Violets welcome a robust and highly athletic freshman class of 10 players, adding exceptional size, attacking options, and front-row presence from competitive high school programs nationwide, particularly in California, Illinois, Texas, and New Jersey.
Ethan Garst (Outside Hitter/Libero, 6’2″, Palatine, IL / William Fremd High School) Ethan brings versatile backcourt and pinning skills from a strong Illinois program known for consistent postseason success.
Matthew Matuszak (Outside Hitter, 6’3″, Los Angeles, CA / Wildwood School) Matthew adds offensive firepower from a competitive Southern California environment with well-rounded high school experience.
Charles Clifford (Outside Hitter, 6’6″, Glen Ellyn, IL / Glenbard West High School) Charles provides significant height and attacking reach from Glenbard West, a perennial national powerhouse that frequently contends for state and national honors.
Nick Shojaei (Outside Hitter/Middle Hitter, 6’3″, San Jose, CA / Leland High School) Nick offers dual-role flexibility from a solid Northern California program with strong varsity contributions.
Artyom Derkach (Outside Hitter, 6’9″, Houston, TX / St. John’s School) Artyom stands out with elite height from St. John’s, a top private school program renowned for developing high-level talent in Texas volleyball.
Dhruv Prathipati (Middle Hitter, 6’3″, Houston, TX / Awty International School) Dhruv enhances the middle with international background and competitive experience from Houston’s diverse volleyball scene.
Veer Agarwal (Middle Hitter, 6’6″, Westfield, NJ / Westfield High School) Veer delivers blocking strength and power from a prominent New Jersey program with a history of strong team performances.
Cade Miller (Middle Hitter, 6’5″, San Carlos, CA / Sequoia High School) Cade contributes size and skill from the Bay Area’s competitive high school ranks.
Riley Schatz (Middle Hitter, 6’6″, Redondo Beach, CA / Redondo Union High School) Riley adds front-row dominance from Redondo Union, a Southern California powerhouse regularly competing at elite levels.
BoJameson Ebeling (Right Side, 6’8″, Venice, CA / Los Angeles County H.S. for the Arts) BoJameson brings towering presence and attacking potential from a creative and athletic Los Angeles program.
This class features remarkable height, including players at 6’9″, 6’8″, and multiple 6’6″, significantly bolstering blocking and offensive capabilities.
2026 Outlook
With Coach Jose Pina’s veteran leadership, a strong returning nucleus highlighted by Devyn Nguyen and Emerson Evans, and an impressive freshman class adding substantial size and talent, the NYU Violets are well-equipped for another prominent season. The team tied for second in the UVC preseason coaches’ poll and aims to build on recent championships while competing at the highest level in Division III men’s volleyball. Fans can anticipate exciting performances from this deep and dynamic squad.