Men's Volleyball | 4/13/2023 9:53:47 AM
Nazareth College junior Owen Wickens was named Empire 8 Player of the Year for the second straight season, as the Empire 8 Conference announced its 2023 Men’s Volleyball All-Conference awards on Thursday, April 13. The awards are voted on by the league's head coaches.
Wickens, who was previously the 2022 Empire 8 Co-Player of the Year and 2021 Rookie of the Year, enjoyed a tremendous 2023 season, slamming 417 kills, which currently leads all of Division III. He is fifth nationally, averaging 4.30 kills per set and also fifth with 5.12 points per set. Wickens also recorded 189 digs and 57 service aces to go along with 128 assists and 39 blocks. He was a six-time Empire 8 Player of the Week in 2023.
Seth Terzo of Nazareth earned his first E8 Libero/Defensive Player of the Year honor. Terzo, a senior, is among the national leaders with 2.42 digs per set. He has 235 total digs and 60 assists this season and has 10 matches with at least 10 digs.
St. John Fisher’s Gabe La Robardiere was named the 2023 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. La Robardiere, an opposite hitter, has slammed 139 kills to go along with 63 blocks. He was a five-time Empire 8 Rookie of the Week.
The St. John Fisher coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Matt Cohen, was named the 2023 Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year. The Cardinals are currently ranked 10th nationally with a 22-6 overall record and claimed the E8 title with a 4-0 mark in league play. St. John Fisher is the defending United Volleyball Conference Champion and will look to earn its second straight NCAA Tournament berth. Overall, the Cardinals have won five matches over nationally-ranked opponents in 2022.
Wickens and Terzo headlined the Empire 8 first team selections, along with the St. John Fisher duo of Josh Bigford and Griffin Stella and Elmira’s duo of Alberto Mauricio and Oscar Munoz Trinidad. Bigford garnered All-Empire 8 first team accolades for the fourth time in his illustrious career. Mauricio leads all of Division III with 4.96 kills per set.
One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2023 Men's Volleyball Sportsman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen.
2023 Empire 8 Men’s Volleyball All-Conference Selections
Player of the Year: Owen Wickens, Jr., OH, Nazareth
Libero/Defensive Player of the Year: Seth Terzo, Sr., L/DS, Nazareth
Rookie of the Year: Gabe La Robardiere, Fr., OPP, St. John Fisher
Coaching Staff of the Year: St. John Fisher, led by Head Coach Matt Cohen
Empire 8 First Team
Alberto Mauricio, So., OH, Elmira
Oscar Munoz Trinidad, Sr., S/RS, Elmira
Seth Terzo, Sr., L/DS, Nazareth
Owen Wickens, So., OH/L, Nazareth
Josh Bigford, Gr., OH, St. John Fisher
Griffin Stella, Jr., MB, St. John Fisher
Empire 8 Second Team
Ryan Mattes, Sr., OH/MB, Elmira
Edwin Sosa, So., MB, Elmira
Alex Bertino, So., OH, Nazareth
Trent Caviness, Sr., S/OH, Nazareth
Max Stuver, So., S/RS, Nazareth
Jake Baker, Jr., OH, St. John Fisher
Trace La Robardiere, So., L/DS, St. John Fisher
Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year
Ayden Herreid, Fr., L/DS, Elmira
Noah Hart, Jr., OPP, Medaille
Nate Allen, Sr., OH/RS, Nazareth
Ryan Jennings, Gr., S, Russell Sage
Zach Ciraolo, Jr., MB, St. John Fisher