NEC Player of the Week: Ike Vernon, LIU
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Peter Leicht, DAE
NEC Rookie of the Week: Ike Vernon, LIU
Previous NEC Releases: January 13 | Preseason Poll Release

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Provo, Utah/Del Norte
Vernon led the LIU offense with 37 total kills (5.29 kills per set) and 43.5 total points (6.21 points per set) in a 1-1 week for the Sharks. The freshman outside hitter compiled a match-high 19 kills (6.33 kills per set) and 22.0 points (7.33 points per set) in three sets of action against St. Thomas Aquinas on Tuesday. The Provo, Utah native followed up with another match-high 18 kills (4.50 kills per set) and 21.5 points (5.38 points per set) in a 3-1 win over Dominican (NY) on Thursday. Vernon currently ranks first nationally in both kills per set (5.29) and points per set (6.21).

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Peter Leicht, DAE (R-So., OH)
Brockport, NY/Brockport HS
Leicht tallied 12 total blocks (1.71 blocks per set), including 11 block assists, in two matches for the Wildcats. The redshirt-sophomore outside hitter recorded a season-high eight blocks (2.00 blocks per set) at #20 Charleston on Saturday.

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Provo, Utah/Del Norte
Vernon led the LIU offense with 37 total kills (5.29 kills per set) and 43.5 total points (6.21 points per set) in a 1-1 week for the Sharks. The freshman outside hitter compiled a match-high 19 kills (6.33 kills per set) and 22.0 points (7.33 points per set) in three sets of action against St. Thomas Aquinas on Tuesday. The Provo, Utah native followed up with another match-high 18 kills (4.50 kills per set) and 21.5 points (5.38 points per set) in a 3-1 win over Dominican (NY) on Thursday. Vernon currently ranks first nationally in both kills per set (5.29) and points per set (6.21).

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Peter Leicht, DAE (R-So., OH)
Leicht tallied 12 total blocks (1.71 blocks per set), including 11 block assists, in two matches for the Wildcats.

Patrick Mullen, DAE (R-So., RS)
Mullen recorded 23 total kills (3.29 kills per set), seven total blocks (1.00 blocks per set), 11 total digs (1.57 digs per set), and 29.5 total points (4.21 points per set) across two matches for Daemen.

Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU (Jr., MB)
Palacios had 17 total kills (2.43 kills per set), nine total blocks (1.29 blocks per set), 24.5 total points (3.50 points per set), and finished the week with a .406 hitting percentage for FDU.

Kale Spencer, LIU (Sr., OH/RS)
Spencer racked up 26 total kills (3.71 kills per set) and 31.0 total points (4.43 points per set) in two matches for the Sharks.

Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Vernon led the LIU offense with 37 total kills (5.29 kills per set) and 43.5 total points (6.21 points per set) in a 1-1 week for the Sharks.

Kasen Owens, MAN (So., OH)
Owens had 22 total kills (3.14 kills per set), 12 total digs (1.71 digs per set), and 23.0 total points (3.29 points per set) in a split with EIVA member Harvard last week.

Drew Blonski, MAN (Fr., S)
Blonski compiled 67 total assists (9.57 assists per set) as Manhttan went 1-1 against Harvard last week.

Wojtek Nowak, MAN (Jr., OH)
Nowark tallied 14 total kills (3.50 kills per set) and 16.0 total points (4.00 points per set) in one match for the Jaspers.

Joshua Hightower, UMES (Fr., OH)
Hightower finished the week with 14 total kills (3.50 kills per set) and 15.5 total points (3.88 points per set) in UMES' 3-1 win over Virginia Wesleyan.

Andre Mills, UMES (Jr., OPP)
Mills had six total blocks (2.00 blocks per set) and 11.0 total points (3.67 points per set) in one match for the Hawks.

Brady Stump, SFU (Sr., OH)
Stump racked up 26 total kills (3.25 kills per set), 11 total digs (1.38 digs per set), and 32.5 total points (4.06 points per set) in two wins for the Red Flash.


2026 MEN'S VOLLEYBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:

NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jan. 13: Brady Stump, SFU (Sr., OH)
Jan. 20: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)

NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jan. 13: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Jan. 20: Peter Leicht, DAE (R-So., OH)

NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Jan. 13: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Jan. 20: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)