The Continental Volleyball Conference has released its 2013 All-Conference Awards and All-Conference teams. Carthage's Connor Wexter was named the Player of the Year while Juniata's Kevin Moore was named Coach of the Year and Matt Elias took home Freshman of the Year honors.

Connor Wexter, a junior setter from New Lenox, Ill. and Lincoln-Way Central High School, averaged 11.49 assists per set this season for Carthage College, second among NCAA assist. On the year he finished with 1049 assists, 45 kills and a .267 kill percentage. He also added 16 service aces, 169 digs and 52 total blocks. In addition Wexter earned 2013 All-Conference honors and is a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American and was the AVCA Freshman of the Year in 2011.

 "This is a deserving award for Connor as it is a reflection of the coaches who compete against him in the gym," said Carthage head coach LJ Marx. "It is a reflection of his dedication to competing at the highest level possible with an unmatched work ethic off the court and in the class room. His competitive fire and ability to demand excellence from everyone around him for their success is what makes him so successful."

Juniata College head coach Kevin Moore took home the 2013 Coach of the Year after leading his team to the conference tournament championship. Moore is in his third season at the helm of the Eagles program and led them to a 24-11 overall record this season, advancing to the NCAA Division III National Tournament and a current ranking of #8 in the latest AVCA poll.

"I think the award is recognition of the accomplishment of the team, all the guys involved in the program. This isn't an individual award, this is a team award," said Moore. "The success of this, the late season success of this team was a result of everyone coming together and supporting each other. I think this award also shows the impact of assistant coach Pat Shawaryn with the program. He put together the defensive scheme for the team this weekend."

Juniata setter Matt Elias, from Lansdale, Pa. and North Penn High School, was named the Freshman of the Year. Elias took over setting duties near the start of conference play and helped the team to a 5-1 conference record. On the season he ranked second in the conference with a 10.55 assists per set average. During the final round of conference matches, Matt surpassed his average in each match, averaging 12.4 assists per set and leading the team to a 4-0 record; and from third place in the East Division to first place.

For the season, Elias has played in 27 matches and 99 sets. He has dished out 789 assists, averaging 7.97 assists per set average. Elias accumulated 105 digs, 40 total blocks and 56 points in 2013. In the CVC conference final, a three-set sweep of UC Santa Cruz, Elias led the Eagles handing out 41 assists and earning him Most Valuable Player honors.

"Matt really matured throughout the year," said Juniata head coach Kevin Moore. "He came in, and put in a lot of time, not just at practice but in the gym.  We needed him to set pin to pin, longer distances.  Once we switched from the 6-2 to the 5-1 offense, he put in time with the hitters outside of practice to build up the relationships and the trust and you could really see it in the team's play over the last few weeks.  His ability to get the right guy the right ball in the right situation was the difference in our team's late season push."

In addition the 2013 CVC All-Conference teams have been announced with a West and East Division.

CVC All-West Division Team
Salvatore La Cavera, UC Santa Cruz, Senior Outside Hitter (Huntington Beach, Calif./Mater Dei HS)
Connor Wexter, Carthage, Junior Setter (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central HS)
Jack Geary, MSOE, Senior Middle Hitter (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette HS)
Jon Storm, Carthage, Sophomore Outside Hitter (Naperville, Ill./Nequa Valley HS)
Aaron Graue, Fontbonne, Sophomore Outside Hitter (St. Louis, Mo./Oakville HS)
Brian Main, MSOE, Senior Opposite (Lamar, Kansas/UMKC)
Jake Landel, UC Santa Cruz, Junior Outside Hitter (Long Beach, Calif./St. John Bosco)
Mauro Salinas, UC Santa Cruz, Senior Libero (San Leandro, Calif./Moreau Catholic HS)

CVC All-East Division Team
Austin Jacoby, Stevenson University, Junior Outside Hitter (Sellersville,Pa./Pennridge HS)
Noah Prickett, Cairn, Senior Outside Hitter (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury HS)
Ross Madden, Juniata, Junior Outside Hitter (Richmond, Va./Deep Run HS)
Dante McCoy, Thiel, Senior Opposite (Reading, Pa./Holy Name)
Joe Bortak, Juniata, Junior Middle Blocker, (Jeanette, Pa./Penn Traford HS)
Paul Kuhn, Juniata, Sophomore Outside Hitter, (York, Pa./Central York HS)
Josiah Buss, Cairn, Sophomore Libero, (Rochester, NY/Hilton HS)
Adam Thatcher, Stevenson, Junior Libero, (Bel Air, Md/C. Milton Wright HS)