Joseph Perez, Orlando Plagata Selected Second Team All-GNAC
WINTHROP, Mass. - Joseph Perez (Miami, Fla.) and Orlando Plagata (Los Angeles, Calif.) were both voted Second Team All-GNAC by the men's volleyball coaches of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) as the league office announced the all-conference teams and major award winners Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Perez collected 297 total kills during the 2024 season, third-most in a single year in program history, as he became just the second player in program history to reach 800 career kills, concluding the year with 829 career kills. He also earned 39 service aces, 131 defensive digs, and 21 total blocks.
Within the GNAC, Perez is currently third in kills per set at 3.26, fifth in total kills with 297, and sixth in service aces per set at 0.43. He reached double figures in kills 15 times this season, capped by consecutive 14-kill performances in the regular season finale against Rivier April 6 and in the first round of the GNAC Tournament against Emmanuel April 9.
Plagata concluded the 2024 season with 195 defensive digs, third in the GNAC in total digs and in digs per set at 2.27. Although he played just two seasons with the Pride, he moved into a tie for ninth place in career digs at Regis with 292, finishing with 868 digs in his complete collegiate career.
During the season, Plagata reached double-figures in digs five times, including a season-high 22 digs against Emmanuel Feb. 28. He also contributed in other ways for the Pride, dishing out 18 assists to go along with three kills during Regis' 3-0 victory over Fisher College Feb. 23.
Andrew Matzouranis (North Andover, Mass.) was voted to the GNAC All-Rookie Team after completing the season with 186 kills, a .245 hitting percentage, 48 digs, and 35 total blocks. He reached double figures in kills six times, with a season high of 18 kills on a .333 hitting percentage at Emerson March 23. Matzouranis finished second on the team in total kills and third in hitting percentage.
Junior Sam Segura-Suarez (Berwick, Pa.) was selected to the GNAC Men's Volleyball All-Sportsmanship Team for his contributions to the program both on and off the court. He appeared in eight sets within six matches during the season, earning two service aces and three digs at Dean Feb. 27 as well as two service aces and two digs against Fisher Feb. 23.
GNAC champion Wentworth collected four of the six major individual awards with second place Lasell receiving the other two major awards. The Leopards won the conference tournament by sweeping both Emmanuel and Rivier and will host matches on the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament Friday and Saturday, April 19-20.
Regis College posted a 10-19 overall record in the 2024 season, including a 5-9 mark within the GNAC to finish fifth in the final regular season standings.