Thompson named Skyline Rookie of the Week; Gators continue earning national honors with latest stats ranking
Albany, NY---- The Sage Colleges men's volleyball team continues to rank among the national leaders in several statistical categories. With the release of the sixth NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Statistics for the 2011 season on March 22.
Gator rookie libero Matt Bynon (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills) has dipped to the No. 2 spot with his 3.72 digs per set average. He has 279 digs in 75 sets played for the Gators. He has been atop the national leader board now in three of the six weekly statistical releases this season.
Sage's junior middle hitter Spencer Hilland (Slingerlands, NY/Bethlehem Central) ranks in two categories as he is 11th in kills per set (3.91) and 18th in blocks per set (0.89). Named to the Skyline Conference Honor Roll on Monday, he has 207 kills on the season in 53 sets played to lead the team. He also has 47 total blocks as well, which second on the team, despite missing two weeks with an injury this season.
Sophomore setter Kyle Ray (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) is also among the national leaders as he has 635 setting assists, good enough for an 8.70 per set average which is 22nd best in the country.
Rookie opposite Ryan Wilkins (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) is 30th in hitting percentage with a .281 average. He has 161 kills thus far in 66 sets played for the Gators.
Sage's rookie middle hitter Connor Thompson (Delmar, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) was named the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week for his play in helping the Gators to a 2-1 week. Thompson compiled 17 kills and a team-high eight blocks as Sage posted wins over NYU-Poly (3-0) and Purchase (3-0) and a close loss to Bard (3-2). He leads the team in blocks with 54 and had an attack percentage of .333 over 11 sets last week.
As a team, Sage is also among the national statistical leaders for Division III. Sage ranks 16th with their 2.05 blocks per set average as they have a combined 197 blocks. Sage stands at 13-9 overall on the year, adding to a new high-water mark for wins in a season for the second-year varsity program and is now 18th in win percentage (0.591). The Gators sport a team hitting percentage of .221, which is 22nd. They also rank 22md with their 9.87 assists per set average having combined for 740 on the season. They are ranked 27th with their 10.55 kills per set average and 30th with a 9.07 digs per set as well.
Sage returns to action on March 22 hosting College of Mt. St. Vincent in a Skyline Conference match commencing at 7 p.m. in the Kahl Center. The winner of the contest will earn the No. 2 seed in the upcoming 2011 Skyline Conference Championships, which will take place at top seeded Bard College on March 27. The loser of the contest will earn the No. 3 and sets the stage for a rematch of these same two teams on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. in one of the two semifinal contests.
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