NEC Player & Rookie of the Week: Ike Vernon, LIU
NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Max Larcheid, MC
Previous NEC Releases: March 3 | February 24 | February 17 | February 10 | February 3 | January 27 | January 20 | January 13 | Preseason Poll Release

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER & ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Provo, Utah/Del Norte
Vernon powered LIU’s offense during a 2-1 week, leading the conference in total points and ranking second in kills. The freshman outside/right side hitter recorded 60 kills (5.00 kills per set) and 68.0 points (5.67 points per set) across 12 sets while hitting .318. Vernon also contributed six service aces (0.50 aces per set) and 20 digs (1.67 digs per set). His week was highlighted by a 22-kill performance in a sweep of King (TN) and a 21-kill outing in a five-set match against Roberts Wesleyan.

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Max Larcheid, MC (Fr., MB)
Brookfield, WI/Marquette University High
Larcheid anchored Manhattan’s defensive effort with a conference-leading performance at the net. The freshman middle blocker totaled 16 blocks (2.29 blocks per set), including three solo blocks and 13 block assists. Larcheid posted a 10-block performance against FDU, the top individual blocking mark of the week in the NEC, helping Manhattan sweep the weekend series and remain undefeated in conference play.

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Ethan Robinson, D’Youville (Jr., OH)
Robinson led the NEC with 31 kills (5.17 kills per set) and totaled 35.0 points (5.83 points per set) across six sets. 

Patrick Mullen, Daemen (R-So., RS)
Mullen recorded 20 kills (3.33 kills per set) and 23.5 points (3.92 points per set) while hitting .304 during Daemen’s unbeaten week. 

Aidan White, Daemen (R-Fr., OH)
White finished with 19 kills (3.17 kills per set) while posting the conference’s top hitting percentage (.429) among listed leaders. 

Randy Delgado, FDU (So., L)
Delgado led the NEC in digs with 22 digs (3.14 digs per set), including a 13-dig performance against Manhattan. 

Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Ellis totaled 22 kills (3.14 kills per set) and 29.5 points (4.21 points per set) while adding four service aces and six blocks. 

Kale Spencer, LIU (Sr., OH/RS)
Spencer posted 53 kills (4.42 kills per set) and 63.5 points (5.29 points per set), highlighted by a 23-kill effort against Roberts Wesleyan. 

Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
In addition to Player and Rookie of the Week honors, Vernon’s 68.0 points (5.67 points per set) ranked second in the NEC. 

Max Larcheid, MC (Fr., MB)
Larcheid’s 16 total blocks (2.29 blocks per set) led all NEC players during the reporting period.

Kai Patchell, MC (Fr., OH/OPP)
Patchell totaled 22 kills (3.14 kills per set) and added nine block assists to help Manhattan remain unbeaten in conference play.

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)

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)


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)