D3 Men’s Volleyball Weekly Awards Recap

3/4/2026

Full National Awards Roundup

Division III men’s volleyball continues to showcase its depth across the country, and Week 7 produced a long list of standout individual performances from coast to coast. Conference offices rolled out 37 weekly honors, recognizing players who drove their teams through a busy stretch of late-February matches.

At the top of the list sits a familiar name.

National Player of the Week

The American Volleyball Coaches Association named Chris Mitchell of Kean as the AVCA National Player of the Week, capping a dominant stretch for the Cougars’ senior outside hitter.

Mitchell averaged 4.44 kills per set while hitting .405, adding 1.22 digs per set as Kean continued to assert itself in the CVC race. His performance also earned him both the CVC and NJAC Player of the Week, giving him the national honor and two conference awards for the same stretch of play. Kean competes in both leagues, and Mitchell made his case felt in all of them simultaneously.

That combination is rare but well deserved.

Conference Award Winners

AMCC

Offensive Player of the Week: Nikolas D’Andrea, Hilbert Defensive Player of the Week: Lewis Rhodes, Penn State Behrend

D’Andrea powered Hilbert’s offense with consistent scoring production, while Rhodes anchored Penn State Behrend’s back line with steady defensive work.

CCIW

Hitter of the Week: Ben Heise, Carthage Setter of the Week: Ethan Kuziela, Illinois Wesleyan Defensive Player of the Week: Colin Alvers, Augustana

Heise produced 16 kills while hitting .370 and was particularly sharp in a nationally ranked matchup against Loras, where he closed out the sweep with back-to-back kills in the final set. Kuziela had one of the most complete weeks by any player in the country at any position, posting his fourth triple-double of the season against North Central with 20 kills, 27 assists, 12 digs, and five blocks, while averaging 3.78 kills and 6.44 assists per set across two matches and maintaining a .352 attack percentage. Alvers rounded out the Augustana effort with 38 digs (3.45 per set) and 10 assists during a 2-1 week, producing identical 19-dig performances in each of his two primary outings.

CUNYAC

Player of the Week: Peter Gavroff, Baruch Rookie of the Week: Trevor Kolar, Hunter

Baruch’s Gavroff led the Bearcats offensively, while Kolar continues to emerge as one of the conference’s top freshmen.

CVC

Player of the Week: Chris Mitchell, Kean

Mitchell’s week needs little introduction after earning the national award.

Empire 8

Player of the Week: Guillermo Perez, St. John Fisher Rookie of the Week: Jordan Prusky, SUNY Poly

Perez posted 15 kills while hitting .455 and added 10 blocks across two matches. Prusky helped SUNY Poly to a 4-0 weekend, hitting .449 with 21 kills while contributing blocks, aces, and digs. The freshman is making a strong case as one of the most well-rounded first-year players in the region.

GNAC

Offensive Player of the Week: Jasper Schultz, Lasell Defensive Player of the Week: Chris Bousquet, Elms Rookie of the Week: Branch Barnes, Lasell

Schultz exploded for 31 kills while hitting .334, averaging 6.20 kills per set. Barnes filled the stat sheet with 11 kills, 20 assists, and 12 digs, showcasing the kind of versatility that makes him one of the most intriguing freshmen in the conference.

MAC

Offensive Player of the Week: Alex Kagoro, Messiah Defensive Player of the Week: Aidan Dunwoody, Messiah

Messiah swept the MAC honors as Kagoro led the Falcons offense and Dunwoody anchored the defense, reflecting a program performing at a high level across the board.

MCVL

Offensive Player of the Week: Karl Both, Trine Defensive Player of the Week: Nick Bultje, Calvin

Both dominated in the middle with efficient attacking and blocking, while Bultje provided strong two-way play for Calvin.

NACC

Offensive Player of the Week: Maximo Dowling, Illinois Tech Defensive Player of the Week: Matthew Schultz, MSOE

Schultz recorded 15 blocks during the week to lead the Raiders’ defensive effort, one of the more impressive blocking totals of any player nationally in Week 7.

NEVC

Athlete of the Week: Pearse Esposito, Bard Rookie of the Week: Nyko Whitaker, Curry Defensive Player of the Week: Connor Ruais, St. Joseph’s Long Island

Esposito recorded the second triple-double of his career, a milestone made more significant by the context. As a freshman last season, the Bard setter became the first first-year player in Division III to record a triple-double since 2023 when he posted 31 assists, 13 digs, and 10 kills against Emerson. His ability to replicate that kind of stat line in his sophomore campaign speaks to his continued growth as one of the more complete setters in the conference.

NJAC

Player of the Week: Chris Mitchell, Kean Defensive Player of the Week: Sean McNally, Ramapo Rookie Player of the Week: Duncan Sturt, Rutgers

Mitchell’s NJAC recognition added a third weekly award to his haul. McNally anchored Ramapo’s defensive effort, and Sturt continues to carve out a role as one of the more promising freshmen in the league.

ODAC

Offensive Player of the Week: Jamarhe Wills, Virginia Wesleyan Defensive Player of the Week: Brady Plucker, Randolph-Macon

Plucker delivered one of the most impressive defensive weeks in the country with 35 digs and strong serve reception performance across multiple matches. The junior libero capped the stretch with a 24-dig effort against Roanoke that set a new Randolph-Macon program record for digs in a three-set match. The Yellow Jackets are playing some of the best volleyball in Division III right now, and Plucker’s work behind the lines is a significant part of why.

PAC

Offensive Player of the Week: Zebediah Wyant, Saint Vincent Defensive Player of the Week: Kaleb Proudfoot, Thiel Newcomer of the Week: Jack Ryan, Saint Vincent

Wyant recorded 38 kills including a 20-kill double-double, while Ryan averaged 11 assists per set as the Bearcats offense continued to roll. Saint Vincent sweeping the offensive honors in the PAC reflects a program with genuine momentum.

Skyline

Player of the Week: Kevin Alarcon, Purchase Rookie of the Week: Shaun Mischler, St. Joseph’s Long Island Libero of the Week: Connor Ruais, St. Joseph’s Long Island Honor Roll: Mikel Miller, Sarah Lawrence

Ruais earned recognition in both the NEVC and Skyline this week, underscoring a standout stretch of play from the St. Joseph’s Long Island defender.

United East

Offensive Player of the Week: Trey Edmonds, Neumann Defensive Player of the Week: Camden Sterner, Wilson

Edmonds recorded 28 kills while hitting .333, while Sterner led Wilson’s defense with 39 digs during the week.

Week 7 Awards Summary

Final Observations

Three themes defined Week 7.

First, multi-award programs. Messiah and Saint Vincent each produced multiple conference award winners, reflecting strong team performances at both ends of the court. St. Joseph’s Long Island also stood out, with Connor Ruais earning defensive recognition in two separate conferences.

Second, freshman and sophomore impact. Several younger players continue to take on major roles. Barnes, Prusky, Whitaker, Ryan, and Sturt are all performing at a level that suggests they will become well-known names before their careers are finished. Kuziela, now in his sophomore season at Illinois Wesleyan, may already be the best setter in Division III.

Third, national dominance from Kean. Chris Mitchell’s performance not only drove the Cougars’ success but elevated him above a crowded national field for the AVCA honor. Earning conference recognition from both the CVC and NJAC in the same week, while also claiming the national award, is a remarkable achievement.

With conference play heating up and tournament races beginning to take shape, the weekly honors list will only grow more competitive as the season moves toward March.