NEC Player of the Week: Jamal Ellis, FDU
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU
NEC Rookie of the Week: Xander Horst, MC
Previous NEC Releases: March 17 | 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
Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Bayamón, Puerto Rico/Academia Discípulos de Cristo
Ellis led FDU to a 2-0 week, powering the Knights’ offense with a conference-best performance. The senior opposite totaled 44 kills (4.89 kills per set) and 56.0 points (6.22 points per set) across nine sets. Ellis also dominated from the service line, recording 10 service aces (1.11 aces per set), including an eight-ace performance against LIU — the top individual mark in the NEC this season.

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU (Jr., MB)
San Antonio, Texas/Clark
Suarez Palacios anchored the FDU front line during a 2-0 week, ranking among the NEC leaders in both blocks and hitting efficiency. The junior middle blocker totaled 11 blocks (1.22 blocks per set) and posted an outstanding .543 hitting percentage. Suarez Palacios also contributed 22 kills (2.44 kills per set), helping FDU control the net on both sides and secure back-to-back conference wins over LIU.


NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Xander Horst, MC (Fr., MB)
Oswego, IL/Oswego East
Horst recorded 7 total blocks (2.33 blocks per set) and also added 5 kills (1.67 kills per set) while hitting .333 in a 2-0 week for the Jaspers.


NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Patrick Mullen, DAE (R-So., RS)
Mullen totaled 28 kills (3.50 kills per set) and 29.0 points (3.63 points per set) for the Wildcats.

Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Ellis led the NEC in points with 56.0 (6.22 points per set) and service aces with 10 (1.11 per set).

Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU (Jr., MB)
Suarez Palacios finished with a .543 hitting percentage while adding 11 total blocks (1.22 per set).

Baboloki Silwane, FDU (Gr., S)
Silwane dished out 88 assists (9.78 assists per set) while adding 8 blocks (0.89 blocks per set) and 16 digs (1.78 digs per set), helping guide FDU to a 2-0 week.

Drew Blonski, MC (Fr., S)
Blonski had 68 total assists (11.33 assists per set) across six sets for Manhattan.

Xander Horst, MC (Fr., MB)
Horst recorded 7 total blocks (2.33 blocks per set) in back-to-back wins for the Jaspers.

Max Larcheid, MC (Fr., MB)
Larcheid posted a conference-best .714 hitting percentage while adding 16 kills (2.67 kills per set).

Wojtek Nowak, MC (Jr., OH)
Nowak recorded 17 kills (3.40 kills per set) and 23.5 points (4.70 points per set) to help the Jaspers improve to 5-1 in NEC play.

Kyle Charles, SFU (So., S)
Charles totaled 71 assists (10.14 assists per set) in two matches for SFU.

Brady Stump, SFU (Sr., OH)
Stump recorded 25 kills (3.13 kills per set) and 31.0 points (3.88 points per set), adding five service aces.

Nathan Zini, SFU (Gr., OH)
Zini totaled 23 kills (3.29 kills per set) and 27.0 points (3.86 points per set) in a 2-0 week.

 

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)
Mar. 24: Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)

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)
Mar. 24: Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU (Jr., MB)

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)
Mar. 24: Xander Horst, MC (Fr., MB)