VK Rivaal Rakvere (Rakvere FruitXpress due to sponsorship reasons"Rõõmusõnum Rakverele: võrgumeeskond leidis nimisponsori". Õhtuleht. 8 October 2012. Accessed 8 October 2012. ) was a professional volleyball team based in Rakvere, Estonia.VK Rivaal Rakvere They play in the Estonian Volleyball League and the Schenker League.
History VK Rivaal Rakvere was founded in 1990.Klubi at rivaal.ri.ee Accessed 1 April 2012. In the mid-nineties the club completed three-peat, winning three national championships in a row – 1995, 1996 and 1997. In 2001 an Estonian building material supplier Aeroc became the head sponsor for the team. 8 year tenure as a name sponsor ended in 2009 when local businessman Oleg Gross agreed to support the financial part of the team.Hiiemaa, Ann. "Rakvere võrkpallimeeskonna uueks nimeks on Grossi Toidukaubad". Postimees. 24 September 2009. Accessed 1 April 2012. In the last seasons Rakvere GT has not enjoyed the success they went through in the 1990s. Mati Merirand, who has been the head coach for over 20 years already has won multiple Estonian Championships and Estonian Cups during franchise history.
1990–01 VK Rivaal Rakvere 2001–09 VK Aeroc Rakvere 2009–12 Rakvere Grossi Toidukaubad 2012–present Rakvere FruitXpress
Seasons SeasonLeagueCupSchenkerCoachRoster 1992–93 2nd Mati Merirand 1993–94 3rd Mati Merirand 1994–95 Champion Mati MerirandTeet Viita, Eivo Zuravljov, Kristjan Kurik, Kuido Kuntro, Janis Sirelpuu, Juri Konontshuk, Ivo Järvala, Jaan Rummi, Marko Loide, Laos Lukas 1995–96 Champion WinnerMati MerirandIvo Järvala, Janis Sirelpuu, Kristjan Kurik, Laos Lukas, Kuido Kontro, Teet Viita, Eivo Zuravljov, Andrus Lehtpuu, Jarmo Neuhaus, Marko Loide, Juri Konontshuk, Jaan Rummi 1996–97 Champion Winner Mati MerirandAndrus Lehtpuu, Marko Loide, Ivo Järvala, Peeter Nirgi, Juri Konontshuk, Jarmo Neuhaus, Eivo Zuravljov, Laos Lukas, Teet Viita, Kristo Meius, Janis Sirelpuu, Kristjan Kurik 1997–98 3rd Mati Merirand 1998–99 3rd Mati Merirand 1999–00 3rd Mati Merirand 2000–01 3rd Mati Merirand 2001–02 4th Mati Merirand 2002–03 5th Mati Merirand 2003–04 5th 1/2 finalMati Merirand 2004–05 4th 1/4 final Mati MerirandLaos Lukas, Ivo Järvala, Herki Tuus, Andrus Palberg, Mati Murs, Harrys Puusepp, Hendrik Kurik, Eivo Zuravljov, Elia Lulla, Timo Tehvo, Rain Laanemets, Marek Korbelainen, Reimo Rannar, Roman Jelissejev 2005–06 5th 1/2 final 10thMati MerirandIvo Järvala, Herki Tuus, Andrus Palberg, Mait Murs, Hendrik Kurik, Elia Lulla, Timo Tehvo, Rain Laanemets, Marek Korbelainen, Reimo Rannar, Roman Jelissejev, Martti Juhkami, Raigo Tatrik 2006–07 4th 1/4 final 9thMati MerirandMait Murs, Reimo Rannar, Andrus Palberg, Hendrik Kurik, Ilmar Mõttus, Timo Laidroo, Elia Lulla, Timo Tehvo, Raigo Tatrik, Martti Juhkami, Hardi Paas, Roman Jelissejev 2007–08 6th 1/2 final 11thMati MerirandMait Murs, Reimo Rannar, Martti Juhkami, Andrus Palberg, Hendrik Kurik, Ilmar Mõttus, Timo Laidroo, Elia Lulla, Timo Tehvo, Kristjan Kurik, Virko Vantsi, Kaarel Pomerants, Hardi Paas, Roman Jelissejev, Harri Palmar 2008–09 4th 1/4 final 10thMati MerirandMait Murs, Reimo Rannar, Martti Juhkami, Andrus Palberg, Hendrik Kurik, Ilmar Mõttus, Timo Laidroo, Harri Palmar, Virko Vantsi, Kaarel Pomerants, Andri Leppik, Tanel Uusküla, Roman Jelissejev, Kaspar Pomerants 2009–10 4th 1/2 final 9thMati MerirandHardi Paas, Reimo Rannar, Tanel Uusküla, Andrus Palberg, Hendrik Kurik, Ilmar Mõttus, Ronald Järv, Harri Palmar, Virko Vantsi, Kaarel Pomerants, Marko Tali, Roman Jelissejev, Kaspar Pomerants, Andri Leppik 2010–11 5th 1/4 final 10thMati MerirandKaspar Pomerants, Arnold Annus, Ronald Järv, Hardi Talv, Hardi Paas, Reimo Rannar, Tanel Uusküla, Andrus Palberg, Hendrik Kurik, Ilmar Mõttus, Harri Palmar, Virko Vantsi, Kert Rang 2011–12 6th 1/4 final 9thMati MerirandHardi Paas, Kajar Kivioja, Andrus Palberg, Hendrik Kurik, Ilmar Mõttus, Harri Palmar, Virko Vantsi, Kaarel Pomerants, Mihkel Hiielaid, Sander Konso, Ronald Järv, Robert Viiber, Hardi Talv
Honours Estonian League Winners: 1995, 1996, 1997 Runners-up: 1993 Estonian Cup Winners: 1996, 1997
Players Current squad Coach: Urmas TaliMeeskond 2014/15 Accessed 2 May 2015.
Shirt NoNationalityPlayerBirth DateHeightPosition 1 Andris Õunpuu 194 Universal 2 Stefan Kaibald 189 Receiver 3 Kevin Saar 186 Receiver 4 Aivar Silm 192 Opposite 5 Hendrik Kurik 197 Middle blocker 6 Rauno Tamme 187 Receiver 7 Karel Ellermaa 190 Setter 8 Karlis Mesila 195 Opposite 9 Kaupo Kivisild (C) 203 Middle blocker 11 Markus Uuskari 193 Opposite 13 Ronald Järv 178 Setter 14 Reidel Alfonso Gonzalez Toiran 203 Receiver 16 Kaspar Pomerants 182 Libero 18 Siarhei Taras 205 Middle blocker
References
External links Official site