By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The honors continue to pour in for Juniata College men's volleyball. After helping lead the team to its first NCAA Division III national championship match, redshirt junior Alex McColgin (Buffalo, N.Y./Hamburg), juniors Paul Kuhn (York, Pa./Central York) and Joe Bortak (Jeannette, Pa./Penn Trafford), and sophomore Chad Albert (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) were named Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) All-Stars, the organization announced Tuesday. Juniata tied reigning national champion Springfield College for the most All-Star selections.
"Well deserved honor," said head coach Pat Shawaryn. "They put in the time all year. Being recognized by other coaches is a great honor and these four deserve it."
All four were named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Americans and earned All-Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC) honors. Kuhn was the only Eagle on the ECAC first team. The CVC Player of the Year finished the season ranked nationally in four different categories including 18th in aces per set. He led the team in service aces and was second in attacks, kills, and points.
McColgin, Bortak, and Albert were named to the second team. It marked the first All-Star selection for both McColgin and Albert, but was Bortak's second. McColgin led the team in attacks, kills, and points and was second in service aces. He ranked nationally in four categories and earned Juniata Athletics prestigious William R. Smaltz Award which is presented to a senior who has demonstrated hard work and perseverance in his or her athletic endeavors.
Bortak and Albert are top five on the team in attacks, kills, blocks, and points. Bortak finished the season ranked second nationally in hitting percentage and top 20 in blocks per set. Albert had a breakout year in 2014 and completed his second season leading the team and ranking fifth nationally in blocks per set.
Click here to view the full ECAC release.
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