April 17, 2012

2012 Men's Volleyball All-Conference Announced

Second and Third Team All-Conference

Sportsmanship Team

 

Player and Rookie of the Year: Chris Markuson, Rivier College, Fr., Cupertion, CA


Chris Markuson has earned the incredible honor of receiving both Player and Rookie of the year for the 2012 GNAC season. He has led the Raiders all year long as only a freshman. He was named the GNAC Rookie of the Week two times and was selected to the Endicott College All Invitational Team. The outside hitter currently leads the GNAC in total kills and points and sits at #4 in the GNAC for blocks (#1 for non middles). Markuson plays all the way around and is a primary passer for the Raiders as well.

Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Convertito, Rivier College, Sr., Trumbull, CT


Senior Chris Convertito is the heart and soul of this year's Rivier team. He is Rivier's lone captain and has been the most consistent passer and defender all season. Convertito currently led's the team in digs and is the spark plug for the Rivier offense and defense.

Aaron Almario, Rivier College, So., Alhambra, CA


Aaron Almario is a leader in the nation for hitting percentage and blocks. He is a two- time GNAC Player of the Week and is currently #1 in the GNAC for hitting percentage and blocks/set. Almario is in the top seven in the GNAC for total blocks, kills/set, points/set, and total points. Additionally, he has been the driving force behind Rivier's top blocking this season.

Ashanti Jackson, Emmanuel College, Fr., Sacramento, CA


Jackson led the Emmanuel offense all season and was named the GNAC Rookie of the Week four times and GNAC Player of the Week once. He received honors for four-straight weeks (2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27 and 4/2). The rookie outside hitter ranked 1st on the team, 4th in the conference and 23rd in the nation in kills(3.32 per set). He also ranked 6th in the GNAC in hitting %, leads Emmanuel in digs (1.34 per set), 3rd on the Saints in blocks (0.45 per set) and 3rd in aces (0.26 per set).

Nick Updike, Emmanuel College, Jr., Manhattan Beach, CA


Emmanuel's starting setter, Nick Updike, leads the team and is ranked 24th nationally with 8.45 assists per set. Updike was named to the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll (4/2/12) and named to the MIT Invitational All-Tournament Team (4/7/12). He leads Emmanuel and is ranked 12th nationally in aces (0.48).

Steve Visentin, Rivier College, Jr., Cheshire, CT


Steve Vinsentin currently holds the #2 spot in the nation for assists/set and leads the GNAC for assists and assists/set. The junior was named GNAC Player of the Week this season for his setting and direct's the GNAC's best offense. He also chips in on defense by being ranked in the top 15 in the GNAC for blocks.

Coach of the Year: Omar Ramirez, Albertus Magnus College


In just his second season at the helm of the program, Ramirez guided his team to a record-breaking year as the Falcons are currently 19-9 overall and made their first ECAC Tournament appearance, making their way to the Semi-Finals. The Falcons, who entered the 2012 season with an overall mark of 3-53 in three seasons, recorded a program-record 19-win season (and counting), while earning their first postseason berth as the No. 5 seed of the GNAC Tournament. The Falcons also won their first-ever postseason match with a 3-1 victory over Wentworth on April 10 before falling to the eventual GNAC Champion, Rivier 3-0.