Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Rutgers-Newark head men’s volleyball coach Karl France doesn’t mince words when he speaks of how valuable junior middle hitter Jon Keller is to the Scarlet Raiders’ chances this season. 

“Jon is probably the most pivotal piece of our little union,” France said. “Since we have only three middle hitters on the roster, there’s no room for error. It’s like having only one quarterback on a football team. So we need Jon to be there every single day.” 

France also gave Keller a huge compliment. 

“Jon is probably the most intense player I’ve ever coached,” France said. “He has a high volleyball IQ and understands every aspect of the game, from defense to attack to serving. He has that good base of volleyball knowledge and he carries that intensity with him. He wants to get better and make his teammates better. Without that young man, I don’t know where this team would be.” 

Keller realizes his importance. 

“Since we’re a little shallow at my position, it puts pressure on me to stay healthy and stay on the court,” Keller said. “I have to do my part, because if I didn’t, there is no one below me who can. So it’s very important for me to stay healthy and on the court. 

Added Keller, “As for me being intense, I guess I’m pretty intense, but in a good way. I try to get the team fired up and try to be the team’s spark plug. So I guess Karl made a pretty good assessment of me.” 

Keller is also doing a fantastic job leading a young Scarlet Raider roster. He’s currently among the nation’s leaders in total blocks (61) and blocks per game (1.49). He’s second on the team in kills with 91 and second to Nate Stott in total points scored with 134 (an average of 3.27 points per game). 

“Offensively, Jon’s been coming around lately,” France said. “He’s just beginning to find his groove with our setters. He’s asserting himself in the proper places. He’s a little undersized for a middle hitter, but he makes up for it with his leaping ability and his volleyball IQ. He’s as quick as anyone and knows where to put the ball. He’s just at the right place at the right time.” 

“Most of the guys I face are an inch or two taller than me, so I have to use my volleyball IQ to do the best I can,” Keller said. 

Keller came to R-N from Reading, Pa., and Exeter Township High School. 

“It was a great chance for me to get a Rutgers education and play Division I volleyball,” Keller said. “Being close to New York City was a plus. But it was pretty much a dream of mine to play Division I volleyball and it turned out to be a great choice.” 

France inherited Keller from the previous coaching regime. 

“When I took over the program, I had great confidence in Jon being someone who could do a lot for the team,” France said. “I knew that he knew how to push the envelope a little and get others to play hard. He does play with a lot of emotion and sometimes that is a good thing. In the two years that I’ve been working with him, I see a totally different guy across the net. He plays for his teammates more than anything else. His dedication is to the rest of the team.” 

France also applauded Keller’s strong will and desire. 

“He never wants to come out,” France said. “Even if I had someone to replace him with, he would still want to play. I think I’d have to take his jersey away for him to stop playing. You want kids like that on your team. You don’t want someone who is going to want to take a day off.” 

France also said that Keller has come of age as a young man over the last two years. 

“Honestly, it took a while for me to get to know him fully,” France said. “He was very reserved and quiet, until I got to know him. He’s a friendly kid and very loyal. He does like to have fun. He doesn’t say a lot, but when he has something to say, he’ll say it. He keeps the entire team in the right frame of mind and on an even keel.” 

Keller is majoring in journalism and media studies at Rutgers-Newark. He wants to somehow get involved in sports journalism, either as a writer, reporter or on radio. 

Keller knows that the vital and crucial parts of the volleyball season are about to take place. 

“I think one of the most important things is staying healthy and focused,” Keller said. “We have to take care of business now. We have to be at our best come playoff time. I think we’re going to turn some heads and upset some teams. This has been my best year so far and I’m excited to keep it going. We have a ton of young talent and they’re always looking to me for advice. I like that. By the end of the year, I think we’re going to prove to people that we’re for real.” 

As long as the intense middle hitter keeps doing what he does best.