PITMAN, N.J. (4/9/21) – Ian Capp has been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and
Derek Au has been tabbed the NJAC Rookie of the Year as the Kean University men's volleyball team had five Cougars selected to the All-Conference squads.
Capp was selected to the first team along with
Jake Milnazik and
Jared Ray, while
Seth Russell was tabbed honorable mention.
Capp takes home his second major award with the NJAC as he was named the NJAC Player of the Year in 2019. The senior setter earns his second selection to the first team after totaling 68 assists, 53.5 points, 32 digs, 30 kills, 19 aces, and seven blocks over four matches. The two-time NJAC Defensive Player of the Week selection averaged 5.23 assists per set, 4.12 points per set, 2.46 digs per set, 2.31 kills per set, 1.46 aces per set and 0.54 blocks per set over 13 sets played.
Au becomes the second Cougar to be named NJAC Rookie of the Year, after Ray was named the Co-Rookie of the Year in 2020. The freshman setter totaled 75 assists, 24 digs, 10.5 points, five kills, five blocks and three aces over six matches. The one-time NJAC Rookie of the Week selection averaged 4.69 assists per set, 1.50 digs per set, 0.66 points per set, 0.31 blocks per set and a .300 hitting percentage over 16 sets played.
Milnazik makes his first appearance on the first team and his second overall with an honorable mention selection in 2019. The senior outside hitter tallied 59.0 points, 48 kills, 13 digs, nine blocks and five aces over four matches. The Warminster, Pa. native averaged 4.54 points per set, 3.69 kills per set, 1.00 digs per set, 0.69 blocks per set and a .337 hitting percentage over 13 sets played.
Ray makes his second overall appearance with his second straight appearance on the first team. The sophomore outside hitter totaled 163.5 points, 149 kills, 56 digs, 16 blocks and six aces over 10 matches. The three-time NJAC Player of the Week selection averaged 5.27 points per set, 4.81 kills per set, 1.81 digs per set, 0.52 blocks per set and a .372 hitting percentage over 31 sets played.
Russell makes his second overall appearance with his second straight appearance on the honorable mention squad. The senior outside hitter totaled 83.5 points, 71 kills, 32 digs, nine assists, eight aces and seven blocks over 10 matches. The Wexford, Pa. native averaged 2.53 points per set, 2.15 kills per set, 0.97 digs per set and a .235 hitting percentage over 33 sets played.
