For the second time this season, University of Maryland Eastern Shore freshman Chase Valentine doubled up on NEC weekly men's volleyball honors. Valentine was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week Tuesday. It's the third time this season, and the second consecutive week he has been named the Defensive Player of the Week. It also marks the second time Valentine has been named Rookie of the Week.

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Laydon Biro, FDU (So., OH)
Farmingdale, NJ/Howell HS
Biro led FDU to a 3-1 road victory at Dominican (NY), powering the NEC's top offensive performance of the week. The sophomore outside hitter totaled 16 kills (4.00 kills per set) and 17.0 points (4.25 points per set) while hitting .448 across four sets. Biro also contributed 10 digs (2.50 digs per set) and an ace in the victory as the Knights posted a conference-best .371 team hitting percentage and 56 kills in the four-set win.

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER & ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Kaysville, UT/Davis High School
Valentine anchored the UMES front line during a five-match stretch, leading the NEC with 23 total blocks (1.28 blocks per set). The freshman middle blocker recorded 5 solo blocks and 18 block assists while helping the Hawks post the league's top team blocks average for the week (2.83 per set).
Valentine also contributed offensively with 29 kills (1.61 kills per set).

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Cleveland Brown Jr., D'Youville (Fr., L)
Brown Jr. led the NEC with 38 digs (3.17 digs per set), including 11 digs in a three-set match at American International and 10 more at Roberts Wesleyan.

Patrick Mullen, DAE (R-So., RS)
Mullen totaled 17 kills (3.40 kills per set) and 22.5 points (4.50 points per set), including a 17-kill, 22.5-point performance in a five-set match at Sacred Heart. He also added 4 service aces (0.80 aces per set).

Laydon Biro, FDU (So., OH)
In addition to Player of the Week honors, Biro added 10 digs (2.50 digs per set) and helped FDU limit opponents to a .124 hitting percentage.

Jamal Ellis Carballo, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Ellis Carballo finished with 14 kills (3.50 kills per set) and 21.0 points (5.25 points per set), including 5 service aces (1.25 aces per set).

Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU (Jr., MB)
Suarez Palacios had 8 total blocks (2.00 blocks per set) and added 13.0 points (3.25 points per set).

Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Vernon recorded 9 kills (3.00 kills per set) and 5 digs (1.67 digs per set) while also contributing 3 total blocks (1.00 blocks per set).

Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Valentine's 23 blocks (1.28 blocks per set) ranked third among all NEC players during the week

2026 MEN'S VOLLEYBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS:

NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jan. 13: Brady Stump, SFU (Sr., OH)
Jan. 20: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Jan. 27: Kasen Owens, MAN (So., OH)
Feb. 3: Laydon Biro, FDU (So., OH)
Feb. 10: Patrick Mullen, DAE (R-So., RS)
Feb. 17: Laydon Biro, FDU (So., OH)

NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jan. 13: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Jan. 20: Peter Leicht, DAE (R-So., OH)
Jan. 27: Marcellus Owens, UMES (Fr., OH)
Feb. 3: Patrick Mullen, DAE (R-So., RS)
Feb. 10: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Feb. 17: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)

NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Jan. 13: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Jan. 20: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Jan. 27: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Feb. 3: Tristan Rowley, UMES (Fr., OH/OPP)
Feb. 10: Tristan Rowley, UMES (Fr., OH/OPP)
Feb. 17: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)