OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Stevenson University head men's volleyball coach Aldis Berzins has announced his retirement and will step down as head coach on January 3, 2024.
 
Berzins, who coached six seasons for the Mustangs, leaves Stevenson with an overall record of 129-61 (.679). He coached the Mustangs to four 20-win seasons, including a 30-4 campaign in 2019. His 2018 team advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals, while winning the inaugural Middle Atlantic Conference title.
 
Stevenson University Director of Athletics Brett Adams has announced that assistant coach Jason Gardner '19 will take over as head coach for the 2024 season.
 
Berzins, a 1978 graduate of Ohio State University, won a Gold Medal with the 1984 Olympic Team in men's volleyball at the games in Los Angeles. He led the Mustangs to the playoffs in five of his six seasons as head coach, with the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020 being the lone exception.
 
Gardner joined the Mustangs in 2021 as an assistant coach. A four-year member of the Mustangs, Gardner was a two-time All-Conference selection under Berzins. In four seasons, Gardner appeared in 110 matches and totaled 880 kills, 480 digs, 181 blocks, and 59 service aces. He was a two-time All-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Second Team selection as both a junior and senior.
 
Gardner was a part of two NCAA Tournament teams, including in 2016 when the team advanced to the Final Four after winning the Continental Volleyball Conference championship. The Mustangs won the inaugural MAC title in 2018 and advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals.
 
Additionally, Gardner was named to the 2018 Academic All-MAC team.
 
Gardner is a 2019 graduate of Stevenson with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
 
Stevenson opens the season on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 5 p.m. hosting Juniata.