2019 OFF THE BLOCK DIVISION III PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAM RELEASE
BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott junior outside hitter Bryn Lipton (Rockford, Ill.) has been named to the 2019 Off the Block Division III Preseason All-America Honorable Mention Team, as announced by the organization earlier today.
The annual preseason honor that was released Thursday recognizes the NCAA Division III men's volleyball student-athletes who are projected to be the best in the nation during the upcoming season.
A nationwide voting committee selected 15 student-athletes to the 2019 Off the Block Division III Preseason All-America Team and seven to the Honorable Mention Team.
This is the fourth season that Off the Block has presented the Division III Preseason All-America and Honorable Mention Teams. Off the Block is the only volleyball organization to present men's volleyball Preseason All-American Teams.
Behind Lipton's play last season the Gulls posted a 23-4 overall record (12-0 NECC), earned a No. 14 national ranking from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and advanced to their seventh straight New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship match.
For his efforts in 2018, Lipton received AVCA All-America Second Team honors in addition to being named the NECC Player of the Year and an NECC All-Conference First Team selection.
Lipton's stats were staggering last season as the outside hitter compiled 3.30 kills per set (221 total), a .285 hitting percentage, 0.60 blocks per set (40 total), 0.51 service aces per set (34 total), 1.99 digs per set (133 total), and 4.2 points per set (281.0 total) in 25 matches played (67 sets).
Additionally, Lipton also registered a .979 serve-receive percentage (340 total attempts, 7 errors, based upon available data), notched two double-doubles, and posted match-highs of 19 kills (twice), 12 digs (twice) and six blocks (2 solo, 4 assisted).
YEAR IN REVIEW
Endicott's 23-4 record marked the eighth 20-win season in program history, while the Gulls' No. 14 national ranking marked its first appearance in the AVCA National Top-15 Poll since 2011. Endicott also won the 2018 NECC regular season title, and advanced to the league championship match for the seventh straight season. Prior to 2018, the Gulls rattled off five straight NECC title wins from 2013-2017.
ABOUT OFF THE BLOCK
Off the Block is a website that focuses on college men's volleyball news and analysis. Within its first three years, Off the Block has emerged as one of the nation's media leaders in college volleyball by providing year-round coverage of the sport ranging from in-depth interviews with coaches to breaking national stories such as changes to the NCAA Tournament. Along with its coverage, Off the Block has also served as an innovator creating new annual national college men's volleyball awards including Preseason All-American Teams and the National Setter of the Year.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - David Le '10)