The St. Andrews University (SAU) men’s volleyball team is entering a new chapter under head coach Noah Ray. After a successful 2024 season with a 22-10 record (7-5 in conference play) and a second-round finish in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament, Ray aims to build a lasting culture and competitive program.
Ray, hired in November, previously led the men’s and women’s volleyball teams at Marian University Wisconsin. Moving to St. Andrews allows him to focus entirely on one program, a shift he welcomes.
“Coaching one program instead of two has been a nice transition,” Ray said. “Now, I can focus on building upon what St. Andrews has achieved in the past.”
Establishing Values Beyond Wins
Ray’s primary goal in his first year is to establish strong values and a culture that extends beyond the court.
“It’s about setting the culture and expectations,” Ray said. “This program has had a lot of talent, but we’re focusing on areas like the classroom, the weight room, and the practice gym. There’s more to success than just wins and losses.”
A Roster with Potential
The Knights have a small roster of eight players, including six freshmen. Returning athletes Khushpreet “KP” Sandhu and Nick Scorzo are expected to take on larger roles. Sandhu, who recorded 51 kills and a .340 hitting percentage last season, will play as an outside hitter. Scorzo will step into the libero role.
“KP is a really high-talent player, and Nick will be in the libero jersey,” Ray said. “Both have been backups in the past, and I’m excited to see them step up.”
Freshmen Javier Alejandro Palacio Novoa, Kaleb Middleton, and 6’9” Joseph Mayers are among the newcomers Ray is eager to develop.
“Each of them works extremely hard, and their ceiling is really high,” Ray said. “It’s about developing their talent and achieving consistency.”
Competitive Goals
Ray hopes to guide the Knights to the AAC tournament in April by finishing in the conference’s top seven.
“I definitely want to see us in the conference tournament this year,” Ray said. “Our conference is competitive, and once you’re in the tournament, it’s anyone’s game.”
Season Opener
The Knights will begin their 2025 season at home against the Milligan Buffaloes. The match is set for Friday at 5 p.m. on Harris Court.
Ray’s focus on building culture, developing players, and achieving competitive goals signals a bright future for the program.
Related Topics