Brock Badgers men's volleyball head coach Ian Eibbitt has strengthened his roster for the 2025-26 season with the addition of seven standout high school athletes. 

"We are very excited to welcome these fine young men to our Badger volleyball family," Eibbitt said. "This year's recruiting class brings us depth in all positions which will enhance our daily training environment." 

The Badgers announced the signings of Gavin Everett, Mathieu Joli-Coeur, Ben Karmazyn, Josh Laflèche, Jonah Ragaisis, Toby Snider and Cole Wiersma on Wednesday, May 14. 

"Each of them comes from established clubs and all have been a part of Team Ontario high performance programs," Eibbitt added. "We are excited to see how they will influence our team culture and push our program to the next level with the mindset of improving daily and enhancing our competitive culture of excellence." 

Everett is a six-foot-five middle blocker from Toronto who recently earned the opportunity to play for Team Ontario at the 2024 Canada Cup in Calgary. 

A student-athlete at Wexford Collegiate Institute, Everett has played two seasons with the Toronto-based 41Six Volleyball Club. 

In addition to volleyball, Everett holds a black belt in taekwondo, showcasing his strong multi-sport background. 

"Brock will allow me to pursue my passion for Studio Art as well as continue my journey as a volleyball player alongside a team of similarly driven people," Everett said. "I love the coaching culture and the program they are working to build." 

Another Team Ontario member and middle blocker joining the Badgers is Joli-Coeur who hails from Brockville, Ont. The incoming Business Economics student has also been recently named to the under-19 national team training squad. 

He placed sixth in the 18U Tier 1 division at the Ontario Volleyball Association (OVA) Championships with the Kingston Rock Volleyball Club. 

The 6-8 middle switched to volleyball two years ago after playing competitive hockey and basketball, including participating in the Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) circuit. 

"The team's atmosphere and culture are great, not to mention the top-notch coaching and support staff," Joli-Coeur said. "I'm ready to build a legacy with an up-and-coming team." 

Karmazyn, a 6-3 right side hitter, started his club career with the Markham Revolution before joining one of the nation's most prominent programs, the Pakmen Volleyball Club, and earning a spot with Team Ontario last summer. 

With the Mississauga-based club, Karmazyn has earned some notable accomplishments including a third-place finish at this year's provincial championship, a 17U national championship in 2023-2024 and a 16U Grand Prix all-star selection in 2022-2023. 

The future Psychology major has captained his Oakville Trafalgar High School team to two Ontario of Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) championship appearances. 

"The welcoming campus as well as the community really excites me," Karmazyn said. "I think I will really fit in at Brock, and I look forward to the potential the team holds moving forward." 

Looking to fortify the defence,  Eibbitt has signed Laflèche, a 5-11 libero. 

The native of Ottawa is the first of two Ottawa Maverick Volleyball Club players joining the Badgers this coming season. Lafléche started playing club at the 12U level when he was 10 years old and has ecently spent two years competing in the 18U division. 

A recent OVA Award of Excellence award winner, Laflèche earned the opportunity to represent Team Ontario at the 2024 Canada Cup in Calgary. 

"I chose Brock University because of its strong Sports Management program and the unique opportunities it offers," Laflèche said. "Being part of the men's volleyball team also made Brock the perfect fit for me, as I can pursue my passion for sports both on and off the court while preparing for a career in the sport industry." 

Ragaisis, Laflèche's teammate with the Maverick Volleyball Club, will also be wearing the Badgers red this coming season. 

The 6-4 setter has also played for the Ottawa-based volleyball club since his 12U season and is another member of Team Ontario who competed at the 2024 Canada Cup. 

During his tenure with St. Joseph Catholic High School, Ragaisis was named Most Valuable Player for both the junior and senior boys volleyball teams. 

"Brock is a smaller school with a strong reputation and a supportive close-knit community, which makes it easier to connect with professors, classmates and sports industry partners," Ragaisis said. "I have a lot of respect for Coach Ian (Eibbitt) and look forward to growing both as a player and person under his leadership." 

Snider is a multi-time provincial club champion who will be looking to fortify the outside pins during his time at Brock. 

The 6-4 outside hitter hails from Waterloo, ON has played for the KW Predators, one of the country's premier programs, where he has won gold at each of the 16U to 18U levels at the OVA Championships. 

Additionally, Snider is a 15U and 16U national champion, and he finished third at the 17U national championships last season. 

"Brock University was the best fit for me," Snider said. "With the combination of the great Kinesiology program, the small campus surrounded by nature and the group of friends joining me, Brock was a clear first choice." 

Rounding out Eibbitt's recruiting class is Wiersma, a local St. Catharines product, who has played four club seasons with the Niagara Rapids.  

At Smithville Christian High School, the 6-4 outside hitter competed in six different sports, placing second twice at the OFSAA championships in volleyball and qualifying for the provincial championships in track and field during his Grade 9 and 10 seasons. 

Wiersma, who plans to study Sport Management, also earned the opportunity to represent Ontario at the Canada Cup last summer. 

"One of the reasons I chose to attend here was the Athletes in Action group where I can connect with athletes who share my beliefs," Wiersma said. "I also liked Brock's reputation of academic excellence and am confident that my experience here will help prepare me for my future career." 

With the influx of seven new recruits, Eibbitt and the men's volleyball team are looking ahead to this upcoming season as they look to make their way back to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) playoffs.