BEVERLY, Mass. – The No. 5 nationally ranked Endicott men's volleyball program has been named the NCAA Division III Statistical Champion for hitting percentage.

Endicott finished the 2019 season with a .319 hitting percentage (1,403 K | 461 E | 2,951 TA) to rank ahead of No. 10 Southern Virginia (.311), Juniata (.299), Loras (.295) and No. 4 Stevens (.294).

The Gulls and Southern Virginia were the only two NCAA Division III programs to finish with a .300 hitting percentage or better, while only 11 NCAA Division I programs produced a .300 hitting percentage or higher.

National runner-up Hawaii led all teams in the country with a .435 hitting percentage. Meanwhile, national champion Long Beach State ranked second overall at a .414 clip. Long Beach State and Hawaii were the only two programs in the country to have a .400 hitting percentage or better on the season.

Today's award marks Endicott's second NCAA Division III Statistical Champion honor under seventh-year head coach George Chapell '08. Last season, the Gulls claimed the NCAA Division III Statistical Championship in kills per set.

YEAR IN REVIEW

The 2019 campaign (26-7 overall, 13-1 NECC) was a banner year for Endicott as the Gulls captured their sixth New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) title with a 3-1 road victory over then-No. 5 Elms on April 13.

Endicott followed up that win with an NCAA Tournament first round triumph against St. Joseph's (L.I.), 3-1, before the eventual NCAA Tournament champion, SUNY New Paltz, knocked off the Gulls in the quarterfinals by a 3-2 score.

Endicott's 26 wins in 2019 also ranks second-most in program history behind the 2010 campaign (28-8). 

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(Photo Credit - David Le '10)