Romeoville, Ill.  – Lewis University head men's volleyball coach Dan Friend has inked three recruits to join the reigning Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Champions. Tom Beckmann (St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis University High), Connor Lammey (West Grove, Pa./Avon Grove) and Gert Lisha (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) have committed to join the Flyers in the 2014 season.
 
“All three of these guys embody the character, drive and work ethic that we are looking for in student-athletes to represent Lewis athletics and the men's volleyball program,” Friend said. “I'm excited to work with all of them and see the impact they can make at Lewis.”
 
Beckmann (6-7, 205, outside hitter) was named to the Volleyball Magazine 30 Underclassmen-to-Watch list, All-Metro first team and All-State first team after his junior season in 2012. He also helped the Junior Billikens to back-to-back second-place finishes at the state championships in 2011 and 2012.  With his club team, High Performance STL 17 Gold, Beckmann helped the squad to first-place finishes at Great Lakes and Gateway national qualifying tournaments, to advance to the national tournament where the team took fifth.
 
“Tom brings great size and an incredible passion for the game,” Friend said. “He is also another outstanding product for us from St. Louis High Performance Volleyball Club.”
 
Lammey (6-6, 190, middle hitter) was selected to play with the 2012 US Boys' Youth National Team that was guided by Friend to a third-place finish at the NORCECA U-19 Boys' Youth Continental Championship in Tijuana, Mexico. At Avon Grove, Lammey was named to first team Ches-Mont All-League as a freshman and sophomore and was selected to Volleyball Magazine 30 Underclassmen-to-Watch list. He previously played with the Yorktown 18U Blue, that reached the national tournament in back-to-back seasons. He currently plays for the Tampa Bay Invaders Club Team.
 
“Connor is high energy, athletic and dynamic with a wealth of experience,” Friend said. “He was a starter on the USA Youth National team this past summer that took third and qualified for worlds.”
 
Lisha (6-6, 195, setter) will come to Lewis as a four-year starter for the Naperville North Huskies. He was selected to the Dupage Valley Conference All-Academic and All-Conference squad after the 2012 season. He was selected as a senior captain with the Sports Performance 18 Mizuno club volleyball team that he has played with for two seasons. He was also selected to participate in the USA High Performance A2 Camp this past summer.

“Gert is one of the best Chicago products out of this year's recruiting class,” Friend said. “His attitude and goals, along with his size and athleticism are a perfect fit for us.”
 
The Flyers kick off 2013 season at the UCSB Invitational against UC San Diego, in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Jan. 4^th at 10 AM ET.