LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its weekly Men's Division III Player of the Week on Tuesday afternoon, honoring Messiah sophomore outside hitter Mason Nissley for the second time this season. This is Nissley's second time in three weeks that he was recognized by the AVCA, recording 83 kills in 12 sets while averaging a .313 hitting percentage to lead the Falcons to a 2-1 week.
After earning the Middle Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Week yesterday, Nissley tallied 83 kills in 12 sets (6.91k/s) in the hard-fought week for the Falcons.
Dropping their first match of the year to Stevenson University (Mar. 10), Nissley's effort notched him 21 kills (.271%) in only three sets. He was the only Falcon to record double digits kills, finishing with a match-high. No other player was within five kills of his 21 total.
The Falcons bounced back to sweep the weekend against No. 13 Stevens Institute of Technology. Nissley had an outstanding performance in the first match against the Ducks, notching 35 kills, 15 digs, and a .368 hitting percentage in a five-set thriller. He followed that up with 27 kills and nine digs in a four-set victory to complete the sweep over the Ducks.
Of note, the 35 kills and 27 kills in a single match are the two highest kill totals in a match in Messiah men's volleyball history. The previous record was held by current senior setter Matt Knab with 26 against Alvernia on Mar. 30, 2019.
Nissley and the Falcons eagerly await a rematch with the Stevenson Mustangs tomorrow night. Messiah will look to avenge last week's 3-0 loss, first serve is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.
