Schmidt named Player of the Year; three Bees named all-CCAC
2019 all-CCAC Men's Volleyball Team
Before leading the Bees into their CCAC Men's Tournament semifinal match against Robert Morris Friday night, Zach Schmidt was named the CCAC Player of the Year as the conference announced its postseason men's volleyball awards.
Schmidt was one of three Bees named to the all-conference first team, along with Scott MacGillis and Jaylen Clark. It marks the sixth straight season multiple Bees have been named first team all-conference.
Schmidt, a second team all-CCAC selection in 2017, leads the league with a .451 hitting percentage. It ranks as the sixth-best single-season mark in program history.
The junior middle hitter from Kaukauna, Wis., has totaled 177 kills against just 35 errors this season. He has also recorded 56 total blocks.
He is the first Bee to be named a conference player of the year since Ryan Mahl took home the honor in 2016.
Schmidt was joined on the all-CCAC First Team by MacGillis and Clark, both repeat members. MacGillis has earned the honor three consecutive years while Clark, the 2018 CCAC Freshman of the Year, has been named first team all-conference in back-to-back campaigns.
MacGillis leads St. Ambrose with 239 kills and 26 aces. The junior outside hitter from Wauwatosa, Wis., is also third on the team with 106 digs.
Clark, a sophomore right-side hitter from Las Vegas, Nev., has posted a team-leading 76 total blocks this season. He is fourth on the team with 163 kills.
SAU's Jo'Lon Clark was also tabbed as the CCAC Assistant Coach of the Year and St. Ambrose received its regular-season conference plaque.
The CCAC also announced its academic all-conference team and four Bees made the list. Adam Campbell, Dylan Herridge, Robby Hoffman and Jake Snyder were recognized for their work in the classroom.
The Bees will face Robert Morris in the second semifinal Friday night. Saint Xavier defeated Cardinal Stritch in the first semifinal earlier in the day. The CCAC Tournament championship match will be played at 2 p.m. Saturday. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament April 16-20 in Des Moines, Iowa.