The 2025 College Men's Volleyball Awards are out, and it's time to talk about the real contenders. Off the Block just dropped the shortlist, and let's be real, this is where legends are made.
THE SETTER SHOWDOWN
First up, the Lloy Ball Award. Named after the legendary U.S. Olympic gold medalist, this one's all about who ran the show best. We've got Moni Nikolov from Long Beach State, Tread Rosenthal from Hawai’i, and Andrew Rowan from UCLA battling it out. These setters didn't just play; they orchestrated.
OPPOSITE DOMINANCE
For the Bryan Ivie Award, it's all about the big hitters. Oguzhan Oguz from Lewis, Jalen Phillips from CSUN, and Parker Van Buren from Loyola are the names you need to know. They're not just swinging; they're sending a message. Who's going to rise above the net this year? My money's on Van Buren.
OUTSIDE ATTACKERS ON FIRE
Then there's the Karch Kiraly Award. It's got Hilir Henno from UC Irvine, Dillon Klein from USC, and Cooper Robinson from UCLA. These outside attackers have been straight up dominant all season. Henno's been a problem for defenses. You could feel it coming.
MIDDLE BLOCKERS RUNNING THE COURT
The Ryan Millar Award is all about the middle. With Matthew Gentry from Lincoln Memorial, Nicodemus Meyer from Loyola, and Cameron Thorne from UCLA, these guys are not just filling space. They're controlling the net. Gentry's been a wall.
WHO'S THE BEST LIBERO?
Let's not forget the defense. The Erik Shoji Award has ‘Eleu Choy from Hawai’i, Yadiel Diaz from McKendree, and Jacob Reilly from Pepperdine. These liberos are the backbone of their squads. Reilly's been too easy with those digs.
And don't sleep on the Division II Player of the Year with Nate Flayter from McKendree leading the charge. This guy's been no joke.
The Nicolas Szerszen Award for the top non-U.S. player also includes Henno, showing he's a force beyond borders.
Mark these names. They're the ones who'll shake up the game. The stakes? National glory. These awards aren't just trophies; they're the start of a legacy. Who's taking it home? Stay tuned.
Source: offtheblockblog.com
