Written by Tyler Kuehl
 
The Men's Volleyball teams has been one of the most successful Non-Varsity programs over the past half-decade. This includes the Panthers winning the 2017 MIVA D2 Championship, and making it to Nationals in three of the program's first four seasons.
 
In 2019-20, DU was looking good with an 8-2 record heading into the postseason. One of the big players this season has been Middle Blocker Deantrius Coleman.
 
Coleman started playing volleyball back in the seventh grade in Chicago. His basketball coach at the time was also the school's volleyball coach.
 
"He recommended me to join," Coleman mentioned on what brought him to sport. "It was to help me stay active and in shape."
 
Coleman attended Lincoln College from 2015 to 2019, and was a key part of the Lynx's 2017-18 season that saw Coleman and company take the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF) D2 National National Championship. Coleman was named Second-Team All-Tournament for his performance.
 
Coleman came to the Panthers to finish his degree in Sports Management, and wanted one more opportunity to play competitive volleyball, knowing he still had another year or two left in him. He has always loved how close he had been with his teammates back in Lincoln, and has the same vibe with his new crew at DU.
 
"I like the brotherhood that I have with my teammates, all the guys here are great."
 
Along with playing on the men's team at DU, Deantrius was also the team manager for the women's team as well. With that, Coleman has seen, firsthand, the difference between the men's and women's game.
 
"Women's volleyball is a lot more technical and [fundamental], where in the men's game there is a lot more power."
 
After Deantrius graduates, he wants to stay in the game, and aspires to coach volleyball at the collegiate level.