Photo courtesy of Ashton Elder
1/30/25
Over the next couple of weeks, we will be taking a look at some of the freshman on each team that have had a major impact on their squad’s success in 2025. We have about 25 players identified thus far and will be presenting 6 in this opening article. Stay tuned for similar posts noting the early achievements of these new players.
Freshman Gavin Rohlwing has made a huge impact on the 5-1 Illinois Wesleyan season. The 6′ 4″ Middle Blocker is off to a fantastic start for the Titans highlighted by a 17 kills performance against undefeated Marian on 1/28 where he hit .419 and had 7 total blocks. His .387 hitting percentage with 42 kills over 20 sets has distinguished him as a freshman player to be watched.
UC Santa Cruz Pin Hitter AJ Contreras has shown he can compete against some of the top talent at D3. UCSC has had a super tough schedule thus far. AJ has crushed 60 kills already on a team stacked with talent. He has 5 aces and 5 blocks as well as a .968 receive percentage. The 6′ 5″ first year is a player to watch now as well as for the next 4 years for the Slugs.
The first-year player with perhaps the biggest impact on his team this year has been setter Keaton Hendry of Cal Lutheran. Being asked to step in to replace a player like Taylor Marks on the D3 championship team could make some new players heads spin. But Keaton has thrived on the opportunity and looks relaxed and confident in his playmaking role for the Kingsmen. Keaton played club for Bay to Bay and looks well prepared to lead the Champs to success this season. The freshman already has 245 assists over 7 matches, near 10 assists per set, on the 6-1 Kingsmen who are ranked in the IH top 10.
6′ 6″ Bryan Athyn freshman Miles Shepard has been explosive for the Lions in 2025. Miles has ripped 72 kills in just 16 sets played. He has accounted for nearly 40% of the teams attack points thus far and is averaging better than 5 kills per set. He also has 6 solo blocks and 9 total blocks as well as lifting 46 digs on the short Lions season. His athleticism has been stellar, and we are really looking forward to seeing what Miles can accomplish during his first year and his career.
Massimo Rocco has hit the floor with power and grace from the middle hitter position for Rutgers. The 6′ 4″ Old Bridge, NJ native hits straight down and with force. He has amassed 16 blocks already and 41 kills while hitting .371. Against one of the best blocking teams in the nation at Stevens this past week, Rocco had 7 kills on 11 attempts and hit .545. He also has 6 aces on the young season. He is certainly one of the players that is fun to watch in Newark.
Trying to replace a player like Pat Wing is almost impossible but freshman Nikko Tenedorio is making a strong impact at outside hitter for New Paltz. Nikko has become the “go-to” player so far this season, even though he is a first-year player. Nikko ripped it up at Bayshore High School in Long Island and received numerous awards prior to joining the Hawks. The high expectations have come to fruition as Tenedorio has already smashed 93 kills, has 11 aces, lifted 53 digs and put back 8 blocks over 26 sets.
Much more to come on the best freshman players so far so stay tuned…
