Twin Powers Headline 2016 Men's Volleyball All-Conference Selections
The Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference released their selections to the 2016 Men's Volleyball All-Conference team on Wednesday afternoon and leading the way were CMU's rookie outside hitter John Nieckarz and third-year left side Joel Kliewer.
Playing mostly left-side in his first season at CMU, Nieckarz has made a big impact on the MCAC after spending the 2014-15 season as a red-shirt for the University of Manitoba Bisons. Now with the Blazers, the 6'4 product of River East Collegiate has shown his pedigree by leading his team in total kills (149), kills per set (2.92) and in kill percertage (40.8%). Nieckarz has also unleashed his powerful jump serve on the MCAC, to the tune of 25 aces.
Despite beginning the 2015-16 season on the shelf with a shoulder injury, third-year floor captain Joel Kliewer has been swinging back into form since late November. The former Westgate Mennonite Collegiate star topped his team in service aces with 31 and finished second to Nieckarz in total kills (102), kills per set (2.43) and kill percentage (39.4%).
Making up the remainder of the MCAC's top 2016 performers were three members of the first-place Providence Pilots, Lucas Pappel, Greg Dueck and Most Valuable Player, Erik Wiebe. Red River College's Zac MacCarthy and Jarell Taylor-Babb and Assinboine's Jordan Todd rounded out the final three All-Conference spots.
CMU is in action in the 2016 Final Fours this Saturday evening at Providence University College in Otterburne where they are matched against the #3 ranked Red River Rebels in one of two men's volleyball semifinals. The two first-round opponents will take to the court at 6 pm.
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