# VK Rivaal Rakvere

VK Rivaal Rakvere (Rakvere FruitXpress due to sponsorship reasons) was a professional volleyball team based in Rakvere, Estonia. They play in the Estonian Volleyball League and the Schenker League.

## History

VK Rivaal Rakvere was founded in 1990. 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. 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– Rakvere FruitXpress

## Seasons

| Season | League | Cup | Schenker | Coach | Roster |
| 1992–93 | 2nd | | | Mati Merirand | |
| 1993–94 | 3rd | | | Mati Merirand | |
| 1994–95 | Champion | | | Mati Merirand | Teet Viita, Eivo Zuravljov, Kristjan Kurik, Kuido Kuntro, Janis Sirelpuu, Juri Konontshuk, Ivo Järvala, Jaan Rummi, Marko Loide, Laos Lukas |
| 1995–96 | Champion | Winner | | Mati Merirand | Ivo 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 Merirand | Andrus 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 final | | Mati Merirand | |
| 2004–05 | 4th | 1/4 final | | Mati Merirand | Laos 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 | 10th | Mati Merirand | Ivo 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 | 9th | Mati Merirand | Mait 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 | 11th | Mati Merirand | Mait 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 | 10th | Mati Merirand | Mait 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 | 9th | Mati Merirand | Hardi 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 | 10th | Mati Merirand | Kaspar 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 | 9th | Mati Merirand | Hardi 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 Tali
| Shirt No | Nationality | Player | Birth Date | Height | Position |
| 1 | Estonia | Andris Õunpuu | (1984-02-12) February 12, 1984 (age 40) | 194 | Universal |
| 2 | Estonia | Stefan Kaibald | (1997-05-19) May 19, 1997 (age 27) | 189 | Receiver |
| 3 | Estonia | Kevin Saar | (1995-01-15) January 15, 1995 (age 29) | 186 | Receiver |
| 4 | Estonia | Aivar Silm | (1985-02-25) February 25, 1985 (age 39) | 192 | Opposite |
| 5 | Estonia | Hendrik Kurik | (1985-12-06) December 6, 1985 (age 38) | 197 | Middle blocker |
| 6 | Estonia | Rauno Tamme | (1992-04-17) April 17, 1992 (age 32) | 187 | Receiver |
| 7 | Estonia | Karel Ellermaa | (1993-07-17) July 17, 1993 (age 31) | 190 | Setter |
| 8 | Estonia | Karlis Mesila | (1993-02-04) February 4, 1993 (age 31) | 195 | Opposite |
| 9 | Estonia | Kaupo Kivisild (C) | (1987-09-20) September 20, 1987 (age 37) | 203 | Middle blocker |
| 11 | Estonia | Markus Uuskari | (1997-04-22) April 22, 1997 (age 27) | 193 | Opposite |
| 13 | Estonia | Ronald Järv | (1993-05-10) May 10, 1993 (age 31) | 178 | Setter |
| 14 | Cuba | Reidel Alfonso Gonzalez Toiran | (1984-10-31) October 31, 1984 (age 39) | 203 | Receiver |
| 16 | Estonia | Kaspar Pomerants | (1992-05-28) May 28, 1992 (age 32) | 182 | Libero |
| 18 | Belarus | Siarhei Taras | (1988-02-07) February 7, 1988 (age 36) | 205 | Middle blocker |