After the Hawks split their series against FDU with a 3-1 win to close out the NEC series, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore freshman Chase Valentine earned dual conference honors.

For the sixth time this season, the freshman middle blocker earned NEC Defensive Player of the Week. Valentine also earned his fourth NEC Rookie of the Week honor. It is also the fourth time Valentine has doubled up on these honors in the same week.

In addition to those awards, Valentine and junior Andre Mills were named to the NEC's Prime Performers for the week.

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL CO-PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Bayamón, Puerto Rico/Academia Discípulos de Cristo
Ellis totaled 43.5 points (6.21 points per set) to go along with 37 kills (5.29 kills per set) across seven sets. The senior opposite added four service aces (0.57) and four total blocks (0.57) while helping FDU to a split conference weekend.

Kale Spencer, LIU (Sr., OH)
Kula, Maui, Hawaii / Pukalani
Spencer finished the week with 49.0 total points (5.44 points per set) and 42 total kills (4.67 kills per set) in two matches for the Sharks. He also led the conference in service aces per set (0.67) with six total aces while adding 26 digs (2.89 digs per set).

NEC MEN'S VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER & ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Kaysville, Utah / Davis High School
Valentine led the NEC in blocks, totaling 12 blocks (1.71 blocks per set), including two solo blocks and 10 block assists. The freshman middle blocker also contributed 19 kills (2.71 kills per set) and 27.0 points (3.86 points per set) while helping UMES to a 1-1 week, including a four-set win over FDU. Along with his 12 blocks (1.71 blocks per set), he posted a .382 hitting percentage on 19 kills across seven sets.

NEC PRIME PERFORMERS

Patrick Mullen, DAE (R-So., RS)
Mullen totaled 31 kills (3.88 kills per set) and 35.0 points (4.38 points per set) in a 1-1 week for the Wildcats.

Kyle Zelasko, DAE (Sr., DS)
Zelasko led the NEC in digs with 27 (3.00 digs per set), anchoring Daemen's defensive effort.

Ethan Robinson, DYO (Jr., OH)
Robinson had 37 total kills (6.17 kills per set) and 39.5 total points (6.58 points per set) for the Saints.

Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Ellis totaled 43.5 points (6.21 points per set) to go along with 37 kills (5.29 kills per set) across seven sets.

Kale Spencer, LIU (Sr., OH)
Spencer finished the week with 49.0 total points (5.44 points per set) and 42 total kills (4.67 kills per set) in two matches for the Sharks.

Brady Stump, SFU (Sr., OH)
Stump recorded 21 kills (3.50 kills per set) and 25.5 points (4.25 points per set), adding four service aces in a 2-0 week for SFU.

Andre Mills, UMES (Jr., OPP)
Mills totaled 17 kills (3.40 kills per set) and 20.0 points (4.00 points per set), ranking among NEC leaders in efficiency (.359).

Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Valentine led the NEC in blocks, totaling 12 blocks (1.71 blocks per set), including two solo blocks and 10 block assists.

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)
Feb. 24: Brady Stump, SFU (Sr., OH)
Mar. 3: Andre Mills, UMES (Jr., OPP)
Mar. 11: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Mar. 17: Owen Holowecky, LIU (So., S)
Mar. 24: Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Mar. 30: Owen Holowecky, LIU (So., S)
Apr. 6: Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)
Apr. 13: Jamal Ellis, FDU (Sr., OPP)

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)
Feb. 24: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Mar. 3: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Mar. 11: Max Larcheid, MC (Fr., MB)
Mar. 17: Vanja Petrasinovic, LIU (Sr., OH/RS)
Mar. 24: Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU (Jr., MB)
Mar. 30: Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU (Jr., MB)
Apr. 6: Rayjan Suarez Palacios, FDU (Jr., MB)
Apr. 13: 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)
Feb. 24: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)
Mar. 3: Tristan Rowley, UMES (Fr., OH/OPP)
Mar. 11: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Mar. 17: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Mar. 24: Xander Horst, MC (Fr., MB)
Mar. 30: Ike Vernon, LIU (Fr., OH/RS)
Apr. 6: Joshua Hightower, UMES (Fr., OH)
Apr. 13: Chase Valentine, UMES (Fr., MB)