On the heels of a 21-6 regular season, a perfect 10-0 in conference matches and a No. 8 AVCA ranking, Penn State led the way on the annual All-EIVA Teams in a vote of conference coaches.
The Nittany Lions put four on the First Team and two more on the Second Team.
Princeton was next with three on the First Team, while George Mason matched the Nittany Lions with six total selections.
Penn State’s honorees were led by Uvaldo Acosta Memorial Player of the Year, opposite John Kerr, making his first appearance on the All-EIVA list. He was joined on the First Team by middle blockers Toby Ezeonu and Owen Rose, both three-time honorees. Ryan Merk is on the list a second time as the conference’s top libero. Outside hitters Michal Kowal and Michael Valenzi were part of the Second Team.
Three other First-Team selections are on the list a third time: Princeton outside hitter Ben Harrington, George Mason outside hitter Omar Hoyos and Harvard middle blocker Ethan Smith. Princeton pin hitter Nyherowo Omene and setter Henry Wedbush also made the First Team, along with NJIT middle blocker Carson Williams.
The conference also announced its All-EIVA Academic Team, with 46 student-athletes on the list. Charleston led the way with 11 Eagles earning recognition, followed by Harvard with nine and NJIT with eight.
To be honored on the All-Academic Team, student-athletes cannot be in their first year and must have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher. There is no requirement for match participation to make the list. Three on the list sported a 4.00 GPA.
For more:
All-EIVA Team
All-EIVA Academic Team