Watt, Nangle Close Senior Campaigns with Conference Honors
WESTON, Mass. — As announced by the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), Jalen Watt and John Nangle were recognized in the 2026 GNAC Men's Volleyball postseason awards, with Watt earning Second Team honors and Nangle earning a spot on the All-Sportsmanship Team. The selections mark the first postseason accolades of their collegiate careers.
Watt turned in his most efficient offensive season, totaling a career-high 242 kills while hitting an impressive .241. Over 96 sets, he averaged 2.52 kills per set on 610 total attempts, showcasing both volume and efficiency as a key piece of the Pride's attack. He also totaled a career-high 290.5 points on the season, averaging 3.0 points per set.
Watt recorded 10 matches with double-digit kills, highlighted by a career-high 20 kills on an efficient .415 hitting percentage in a setback against Elms. He finished the season second on the team in kills and fifth in the conference in the category.
During the year, Watt also put together a three-match stretch in which he averaged 10.5 kills and two blocks per contest, as well as a two-match span where he averaged 16 kills and 17.25 points, underscoring his ability to produce at a high level in key moments.
Defensively, Watt posted career highs with 143 digs (1.49 per set) and 45 total blocks, including six solo and 39 assisted, averaging 0.47 blocks per set. He also contributed 23 service aces and finished among the program's all-time leaders, ranking fifth in service aces, fifth in kills, and 10th in blocks.
Captain John Nangle joined him as the Pride's representative on the sportsmanship team. The senior embodied the ideals of sportsmanship throughout his career, consistently demonstrating respect for teammates, opponents, and officials while competing with integrity in every match. Nangle's leadership extended beyond the court, as his commitment to doing things the right way set the tone for the Pride both in competition and in daily preparation.
Nangle led the Pride on the block with 75 total blocks, while also making a lasting impact throughout his career. He finishes as the program's all-time leader in matches played (115), while also ranking second in blocks (253), fifth in kills (592), and third in service aces (92), cementing his legacy as a cornerstone of the program.
Full GNAC release can be found here.
