Senior opposite hitter and co-captain Zach Lamoureux spikes against an alumni team in a home tournament last semester. (Photos by Grace Greer)
Men’s volleyball uses makeshift lineup to split matches at Roanoke College in Rigg’s debut
1/10/2026 7:42:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
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Liberty gave the NCAA DIII Maroons a good battle before falling 3-1 and rebounding to sweep NCCAA Lancaster (Pa.) Bible College.
In its first two matches with former longtime Head Coach and current Interim Head Coach Bryan Rigg back at the helm, Liberty University's men's volleyball team fell in four tight games at NCAA Division III host Roanoke College (25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 26-24) before sweeping a best-of-three match against NCCAA Lancaster (Pa.) Bible College (25-17, 25-17) on Friday night at the Cregger Center in Salem, Va.
"It was a good split, for being back (from Winter Break) and practicing a day and a half," said Rigg, who succeeded outgoing Head Coach Josh Knapp — now in the same role at NCAA DIII University of Lynchburg — in early December before holding his first practices since then on Wednesday and Thursday. "The guys are encouraged. There was a really good vibe, and we are in a good place for the beginning of the season."
The Flames only had eight players from their Division I squad from the fall semester available for the two exhibition matches so they called up four players from their Division II team to fill out the roster for the spring semester debut.
"It is technically still Christmas (Winter) Break, so a number of players on our DI roster did not make it back in time," Rigg said, noting junior outside hitter Josh Davis opted to transfer to Lynchburg and sophomore setter Will Radi also is not returning to the team. "Keeping that in mind, it was a fairly successful outcome."
He was deliberate in substituting through the lineup to give everyone equal playing time.
"We had 12 guys that came back from Christmas Break, and we committed to playing all 12 of them," Rigg said. "We didn't go with who's got the hot hand. They shared responsibilities all day, and while there were some ups and downs, by and large all 12 guys had a very good day."
Both the DI and DII teams run similar offensive and defensive systems, so the transition for those who played up was not overly difficult, though synchronicity and communication that comes from playing together regularly will take some time to develop.
"Nuances of the game, non-verbal things like knowing who's going to go for what balls, weren't there yet," Rigg said. "It was hardest on our middle hitters, especially when they were blocking, which requires a lot of drifting toward the pin hitters. That was a little more challenging not having practiced or played together much, but by and large the DI and DII players meshed well."
The Flames struggled from the service line in the first game against the host Maroons, committing six service errors, and Roanoke's formidable front line of blockers often stuffed Liberty's attackers when they did get the ball in play.
"We did pick it up and the last three games were more competitive," Rigg said. "(Junior libero) Andrew Milo came up from the DII team and shined for us tonight. He was our most consistent server, which fueled a few of our comebacks and point runs, and his defense was terrific."
Milo split duties with junior libero John Kinzler and both were effective as defensive specialists. Senior setter and co-captain Josh Culpepper (center) huddles up the Flames after a winning point in a fall semester home tournament.
Senior setter and co-captain Josh Culpepper ran the offensive efficiently and provided positive leadership on the court.
"He did a great job setting, as he usually does, distributing the ball well, and he was a good captain on the court," Rigg said, noting fellow senior captain and opposite hitter Zach Lamoureux platooned with sophomore Liam Reinmuth to provide a dual threat.
With neither of the Flames' regular middle blockers — junior Austin Leach and freshman Ian McKee — available, their replacements more than held their own.
"Ben Bremer did exceptional job in the middle as a freshman," Rigg said. "(Junior) Nate Bremmer, who played outside hitter, was our most consistent with his serving, passing and hitting at the net."
Liberty dominated LBC, which is the defending United East Conference champion and preseason favorite, giving Rigg and the Flames momentum to build off as they prepare for their official spring semester opener in two weeks — their annual Midnight Mayhem matchup Jan. 23 against the ECVA South rival University of Virginia. That will be the first of four matches this semester played in the Liberty Arena, followed in rapid succession by North Carolina State (Jan. 27), Virginia Tech (Feb. 3), and VCU (Feb. 10).
While not originally on the schedule, Liberty likely will travel to reigning NCAA DIII national champion Southern Virginia, which graduated nine core players from last season's team
The Flames will have the opportunity to host the ECVA South Championships on March 7 on eight courts in the LaHaye Multipurpose Center and LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center, with Division I and II bids on the line for the East Coast Championships.
That will be the Flames' best chance to earn a high seeding for the April 2-4 NCVF National Championships, to be held in Kansas City, Mo., for the second time in three years.
Rigg is optimistic that both teams can advance to both tournaments, with Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine student Stephen Patag coaching the DII squad and former Flames standout Tait Lapham assisting him on the DI team, as he did at Roanoke.
By Ted Allen/Staff WriterJohn Kinzler split time with Andrew Milo at the defensive specialist position in Friday's first match against Roanoke College in Salem.
