After finishing fifth at nationals last season, the men’s club volleyball team is on a good start to bring home the national title.

The No. 12 ranked Warhawks hold a 7-2 record in the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference and are in second place behind UW-Oshkosh.

The ’Hawks have a showdown with the Titans at 8 tonight at home.

“[Oshkosh] currently sits No. 4 in the nation and in first place in the WVC,” President Keith Scheckel said. “With a win, we will be tied for first place in conference and will jump in the next ranking.”

After starting the season 5-0, the ’Hawks lost two consecutive matches, but have found their stride  winning their last two.

“This year is going very well for us so far,” junior defensive specialist Deion Burks said. “We got off to a great start winning five straight matches in a row, but then hit a little rough patch. We figured it out and are now back on a win streak.”

The team will look to rely on junior outside hitter Dan Wittke, who has started the year out great.

“Wittke would have to be our biggest stand out player as of now,” Scheckel said. “He hit a .667 versus UW-La Crosse earlier this year, which is unheard for an outside hitter.”

Another contributor, thus far, is former UW-Whitewater basketball player,  senior middle blocker Kori Vernon.

“Vernon is one of our returning varsity starters and has got off to a great start this season,” Burks said. “Kori came into this season ready to play and has been outstanding on the court. “He is doing a great job blocking for us this year and has been working hard as a stand-out offensive player.”

The team has three new starters, so right now, chemistry is  the biggest question.

Burks said he knows once they continuously figure out how to play as a team, they can do damage when come nationals.

“We have a lot of growing up to do as a team being so new,” Burks said. “We have the talent and drive this year to hopefully bring home that national title.”