Central State University head coach Ray Lewis has been tabbed to lead the first ever Merrimack College men's volleyball team during the 2023 season. The Warriors will join six other programs in the inaugural season for men's volleyball in the Northeast Conference (NEC). Men's volleyball becomes the 25th sport sponsored by the NEC, joining the Big West in becoming the second multi-sports Division I conference to sponsor men's volleyball.
"I want to thank President Christopher Hopey, Jeremy Gibson, Diane Metcalf and the entire administration for this opportunity to lead the men's volleyball program", said Lewis. "I am thrilled for this opportunity to build Merrimack into a men's volleyball powerhouse program. More importantly, I am excited to be a part of an institution that values the student-athlete experience and whose ideals align with my own."
In 2023, Ray Lewis led the Warriors to a 10-win season and Northeast Conference postseason appearance, in the program’s inaugural season. Under the leadership of Ray Lewis, Xander Thesz was named Second Team All-Conference. Starting libero, Kyle Standage, finished top 4 th in the NCAA in digs per set in his freshman campaign.
Prior to Merrimack, Lewis served as the Head Men and Women’s coach Central State University from 2021-2022. Lewis led the Marauders to a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Regular Season and Conference Tournament championship, on the men's side. In the program’s inaugural season, Lewis led the Marauders to a 14-13 (9-1) overall record. Under his tutelage, the Marauders featured five All Conference selections, including the Setter and Libero of the Year. During the 2021 season on the women's side, Lewis was named SIAC Coach of the Year after
earning 23 wins, the most in program history. Lewis led the turnaround of a program that tallied only 10 wins the year prior. Under his leadership, the Lady Marauders finished second with a 14-3 mark in conference play. Lewis’ squad boasted three All Conference players, including the Freshman of the Year honor.
Before heading to Central State, Lewis was the head coach of Benedictine University at Mesa, Arizona for three seasons. Lewis boasted an overall record of 62-20 (.756) during his tenure with the Redhawks. In his first two seasons, he led the Redhawks to consective NAIA National Championship appearances. In 2019, Lewis’ squad won the NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship. His team finished with a 26-4 record and featured four NAIA All-Americans. Lewis would take home NAIA Coach of the Year in 2019. Under his tutelage at Benedictine, his players
have earned six NAIA All-American honors, two Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) Player of the Year honors, two GSAC Defensive Player of the Year selections, two GSAC Setter of the Year selections, a GSAC Newcomer of the Year and six different All-Conference honorees. Lewis was named 2019 GSAC Coach of the Year and 2020 Cal Pac Coach of the Year. In his last season with the Redhawks, 2020, Lewis boasted a 15-7 (8-1) mark prior to the season being shorted by COVID-19.
In 2020, Lewis was recognized as a 30 under 30 recipient by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). This award identifies the top up and coming coaches across the country. He has been selected to present at the AVCA Convention three times. Lewis has also worked with USA Volleyball. He is currently serving as an assistant coach for the National Team Development program in the U17 division. Lewis served as the Vice President, then President of the NAIA Executive Board between 2019-2020.
Prior to coaching in the collegiate ranks, Lewis coached at Legacy High School in Las Vegas, NV. Lewis led his program to (two) consecutive State Championship appearances in 2014 and 2015. In 2014, Lewis’ squad was crowned NIAA State Champions for the first time in school history. Lewis also served as the club director for Vegas Xtreme volleyball club from 2011-2015. "It is such an honor to be chosen to be the first head coach in program history at Merrimack College, said Lewis. "Merrimack is truly a special place and I"m excited to grow opportunities in the New England Region, especially at the Division One level. Men's volleyball is one of the fastest growing high school sports in the country and it is exciting to be able to lead this program in its infancy."
Lewis played his collegiate volleyball at Lakeland College in Wisconsin where his team finished as the runner up in the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF) National Championships. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Benedictine University of Mesa. He is currently Level II certified by the USA Volleyball Coaches Accreditation Program.
