NECC Release
 
DUDLEY, Mass. – After the best regular-season in program history in which the Bison posted a record of 20-9 overall and 7-1 in conference play, six Nichols men's volleyball student-athletes garnered postseason honors from the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC), the conference office announced on Tuesday.
 
Luis Martinez and Tanner Soracco were named First Team All-NECC, while Dylan Knapp, Carlos Mercado, and Dylan Urbanski were selected to the Second Team. Jake Harasyko rounded out the selections as he was named to the Del Malloy Sportsmanship Team.
 
FIRST TEAM
 
Luis Martinez made an instant impact in his first season in Dudley, as the graduate collected 259 kills in 81 total sets, good for 3.20 kills per set. The Bayamon, P.R. native also had 124 digs on the season to go along with 32 aces and 26 total blocks.
 
Tanner Soracco built upon his NECC First-Team selection in 2022 with another big season for the Bison. The junior picked up 201 kills this season, hitting at an impressive .328 percentage. Soracco also added 101 digs and a team-high 74 total blocks.
 
 
SECOND TEAM
 
Dylan Knapp was dominant for the Bison, swinging a team-high .363 hitting percentage among qualified players, with 168 kills in 92 sets played. The sophomore from Wethersfield, Conn. also had 53 total blocks for Nichols to go along with 32 digs and 12 service aces.
 
Carlos Mercado proved to be a big addition for the Bison this season, as the transfer was second in the team with 255 kills in 92 sets (2.77 k/s). Mercado, also hailing from Puerto Rico, was third on the team with 85 assists while also leading the team in aces with 36.
 
Dylan Urbanski made his return to the court this season in a big way, as the junior setter led the NECC in assists with 755. Urbanski also played a big role defensively, collecting 112 digs and 40 total blocks on the year.
 
 
SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM
 
Jake Harasyko was a staple as a member of the men's volleyball program and campus community over his four years on The Hill, especially in this season's efforts as the program reached new heights with him on the court. At outside hitter this season, Harasyko notched 113 kills, 65 digs, and 28 total blocks.
 
Off the court, Harasyko is a member of the Nichols Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and an Admissions Student Ambassador, while majoring in criminal justice.
 
Head coach Casey Fitzpatrick had this to say about Harasyko: "Jake is a great teammate, great opponent, and great person. He is the hardest worker on the court, in the classroom, and in the Nichols community, and is most deserving of this recognition."
 
Nichols will await the winner of No. 6 NVU Johnson and No. 3 Eastern Nazarene