LEXINGTON, Ky. - On Tuesday afternoon, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced their second annual Division III Men's Regional Awards. Among the honorees from the East Region were four Falcons with
Nate Bowman,
Matt Knab,
Mason Nissley, and head coach
Justin Beachy all earning accolades. In addition to his All-Region accolade,
Mason Nissley was named the Regional Player of the Year while
Justin Beachy picked up Regional Coach of the Year honors.
The accolades come just a day after the Falcons were celebrated with All-Conference honors.
As mentioned,
Mason Nissley was named the East Region Player of the Year, becoming the first Messiah men's volleyball player to ever earn the accolade. Nissley will have to make room on his mantle for the honor after picking up quite a few accolades this season. He was twice named the AVCA National Player of the Week (Mar. 2 and Mar. 16) and earlier this week was named First Team All-MAC and the MAC Player of the Year.
Nissley is currently tops in the nation in kills per set with 5.75 through 57 sets played this year. He currently has 328 kills this season to go along with a .303 hitting percentage to lead a potent offense for the Falcons. After posting nine matches with at least 22 kills, Nissley now owns 10 of the top 13 spots in the program record book for most kills in a match.
Senior setter
Matt Knab earns the first All-Region honor of his career after facilitating the Falcons' offense all season long. Knab is currently fifth in the country with a 10.32 assists per set average across 68 sets this season. On five different occasions, he picked up 50-plus assists in a match, including a career-high 59 in a five-set match against Alvernia on Mar. 24. Knab has shown his versatility throughout his career. In addition to his assists this season, Knab has been lethal on the attack, picking up 62 kills this season with a .407 hitting percentage. Just last week, Knab was named the Most Valuable Player of the MAC Tournament, picking up 94 assists across nine sets. Additionally, he was named the AVCA National Player of the Week.
Nate Bowman turned his Second Team All-MAC honor from Monday into an All-Region honor on Tuesday. A key contributor on both sides of the ball, Bowman has been clutch for the Falcons. He's the owner of a .382 hitting percentage with 150 kills on offense and a team leading 77 total blocks on the season, good for a 1.15 blocks/set average, on defense. He's also picked up 35 digs on the season and nine service aces, including three against Stevenson in the MAC Championship match.
Leading the Falcons from the sidelines has been fourth-year head coach
Justin Beachy. Beachy has led the Falcons to new heights this season, claiming the first MAC Championship in program history and qualifying Messiah for their first NCAA Tournament in men's volleyball. Messiah currently owns a 16-2 overall record and as a result, Beachy was named the East Regional Coach of the Year.
Messiah will take on Fontbonne University in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, April 21 at 12:00 p.m. in Salem, Va. With All-American honors announced prior to their First Round Match.
