Leavenworth, Kan.— The University of Saint Mary is proud to announce the launch of its Men's Volleyball program as the university's 27^th varsity sport, beginning play immediately during the 2026-27 school year. This new addition to our athletic department reflects our commitment to providing more opportunities for student-athletes to compete, grow, and succeed both on and off the court.

Former USM volleyball standout, Rylee Sadler (Kenitzer) will lead the Spire men as the program's inaugural head coach. Upon graduation, Rylee spent the 2025-26 season as the Graduate Assistant for the Spire women's volleyball team. Rylee was a dominant force in her time on the court at USM, she is the career leader of all-time kills in Spire volleyball history, was recognized as AVCA All-Region in 2020 and 2023, was named All-KCAC Second Team in 2022, and All-KCAC First Team in 2023—these honors combined with her ongoing success in coaching men's volleyball at the club level has made her the perfect match for this new young team.

Athletic Director/Vice President for Athletics, Rob Miller is thrilled to get this new program up and running, stating "men's volleyball continues to experience tremendous growth at the high school, club, and collegiate level, with programs across the country expanding opportunities for student-athletes and increasing the sport's visibility. As we launch this exciting new program, we are confident we have a great leader in Rylee to guide her team forward. Her proven success, leadership, and extensive experience navigating today's competitive athletic landscape make her exceptionally qualified to build a strong foundation and create a culture of excellence for USM Men's Volleyball."

Coach Sadler is eager to get started stating, "I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to lead the start of the University of Saint Mary Men's Volleyball program. Starting a new program is a unique challenge, but it's also an incredible opportunity to build something special from the ground up. My goal is to create a culture centered on hard work, accountability, and personal growth, while helping our student-athletes reach their full potential both on the court and in the classroom. I look forward to recruiting passionate competitors, developing meaningful relationships, and building a program that the university and community can be proud of for years to come."

Stay up to date on all upcoming men's volleyball matches taking place inside Ryan Sports Center in the Spring of 2027 and all of Spire athletics at on our Go Spires website.