NEC Player of the Week: Owen Holowecky, LIU
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Vanja Petrasinovic, LIU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Ike Vernon, LIU
Previous NEC Releases: March 11 | March 3 | February 24 | February 17 | February 10 | February 3 | January 27 | January 20 | January 13 | Preseason Poll Release

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Owen Holowecky, LIU (So., S)
West Palm Beach, FL/Seminole Ridge High School
Holowecky orchestrated LIU’s offense during a 2-0 week, leading the NEC in assists. The sophomore setter totaled 79 assists (11.29 assists per set) across seven sets while guiding the Sharks to a conference-best .324 hitting percentage. Holowecky also contributed 18 digs (2.57 digs per set), showcasing his all-around impact. He recorded 37 assists in a three-set win over Barry, the top three-set assist performance in the conference during the reporting period.

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Vanja Petrasinovic, LIU (Sr., OH/RS)
Kraljevo, Serbia/Gimnazija Kraljevo
Petrasinovic anchored LIU’s defensive front, leading the NEC in total blocks. The senior recorded 12 total blocks (2.00 blocks per set), including three solo blocks and nine block assists. He also posted a seven-block performance against Edward Waters, tied for the top individual blocking effort of the week in the conference, helping LIU hold opponents to a league-best .107 hitting percentage.

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Provo, Utah Del Norte
Vernon continued his standout freshman campaign, leading the NEC in points. The outside/right side hitter totaled 28 kills (4.00 kills per set) and 35.0 points (5.00 points per set) across seven sets while hitting .297. He also added nine total blocks (1.29 blocks per set), further contributing on both ends of the floor for the undefeated Sharks.


NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Ellis recorded 13 kills (2.60 kills per set) and 16.5 points (3.30 points per set), while adding two service aces and three block assists.

Owen Holowecky, LIU (So., S)
In addition to Player of the Week honors, Holowecky’s 79 assists (11.29 assists per set) led all NEC players.

Vanja Petrasinovic, LIU (Sr., OH/RS)
Petrasinovic’s 12 total blocks (2.00 blocks per set) ranked first in the conference during the reporting period.

Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Vernon’s 35.0 points (5.00 points per set) led the NEC while pacing LIU offensively.

Andre Mills, UMES (Jr., OPP)
Mills totaled 18 kills (3.60 kills per set) and 20.0 points (4.00 points per set), ranking among the conference leaders in both categories.

Luke Colquette, SFU (Fr., OH)
Colquette recorded 10 kills (3.33 kills per set) while hitting .421, ranking among the NEC leaders in efficiency.

Brayden Kuruzovich, SFU (Sr., S)
Kuruzovich totaled 26 assists (8.67 assists per set) and added three service aces (1.00 aces per set), leading the NEC in aces per set.

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)
Jan. 27: Kasen Owens, MAN (So., OH)
Feb. 3: Laydon Biro, FDU (So., OH)
Feb. 10: Patrick Mullen, DAE (R-So., RS)
Feb. 17: Laydon Biro, FDU (So., OH)
Feb. 24: Brady Stump, SFU (Sr., OH)
Mar. 3: Andre Mills, UMES (Jr., OPP)
Mar. 11: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Mar. 17: Owen Holowecky, LIU (So., S)

NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jan. 13: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Jan. 20: Peter Leicht, DAE (R-So., OH)
Jan. 27: Marcellus Owens, UMES (Fr., OH)
Feb. 3: Patrick Mullen, DAE (R-So., RS)
Feb. 10: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Feb. 17: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Feb. 24: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Mar. 3: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Mar. 11: Max Larcheid, MC (Fr., MB)
Mar. 17: Vanja Petrasinovic, LIU (Sr., OH/RS)

NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Jan. 13: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Jan. 20: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Jan. 27: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Feb. 3: Tristan Rowley, UMES (Fr., OH/OPP)
Feb. 10: Tristan Rowley, UMES (Fr., OH/OPP)
Feb. 17: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Feb. 24: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Mar. 3: Tristan Rowley, UMES (Fr., OH/OPP)
Mar. 11: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Mar. 17: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)