Posted: Apr 07, 2025
Christian Sheaffer, from Southern Virginia University, becomes just the second player in CVC history to take home multiple Player of the Year Awards. Sheaffer joins Andrew Zaleck, from Rutgers University-Newark, as the only player in the league's 13-year history to win the awards in back-to-back seasons. Sheaffer totaled 78 kills, 30 digs, and 22 blocks in his seven conference matches this season. He averaged 3.71 kills and 1.43 digs per set while hitting .418 in conference play. The senior outside hitter ranked in the top three of the league in kills, kills per set, hitting percentage, total blocks, blocks per set, and points per set.
His teammate Justin Madsen was chosen as the CVC Libero of the Year. This marks Madsen's second consecutive award, joining Matt Nikishin from Rutgers-Newark as the only multiple-time award winner in league history. Madsen tallied 51 digs in seven conference matches, averaging 2.55 per set.
Southern Virginia head coach Tom Peterson takes home his third consecutive CVC Coach of the Year award and the fifth in his career. Peterson led the Knights to a perfect 7-0 conference record, the program's second straight undefeated conference season. The Knights are the top seed in the upcoming CVC Tournament and are 29-1 overall while being ranked #3 in the latest AVCA Poll.
The final two individual conference awards go to players from Rutgers University-Newark. Derek Au was named the Setter of the Year; the second time in his career he has won the award, following the 2022 season. Au led the league with 261 assists, averaging 10.04 per set against conference opponents. Au topped 50 assists twice against conference opponents this season with a high of 54.
Massimo Roco, a middle blocker for the Scarlet Raiders, put up 56 kills and 20 total blocks during his freshman campaign in the CVC. He hit .440 during conference action, ranking second in the league. Roco is the second straight Scarlet Raider to win the award, following teammate Aleks Kolodziej, and the third in program history.
First Team All-Conference
Juan Armando, Juniata
Derek Au, Rutgers-Newark
Samuel Candland, Southern Virginia
Tyler Goldsborough, Juniata
Luke Hoffman, Juniata
Christian Sheaffer, Southern Virginia
Gehrig Tolman, Southern Virginia
Second Team All-Conference
Braydon Ambruster, Elizabethtown
Jeremy Brown, Southern Virginia
Aleks Kolodziej, Rutgers-Newark
Justin Madsen, Southern Virginia
Diego Pena, Marymount
Luke Pogue, Marymount
Massimo Roco, Rutgers-Newark
Third Team All-Conference
Kristo Bianchin, Southern Virginia
Kyler Evans, Southern Virginia
Dustin Hagin, Elizabethtown
Chris Mitchell, Kean
Tyler Quinn, Kean
Will Sierer, Juniata
Alex Solodky, Rutgers-Newark