GREENVILLE, S.C. – Belmont Abbey's Caden Day has been named Offensive Player of the Year for the men's volleyball season, the league office announced today. In addition, five Crusaders were named to the all-conference teams. The awards were chosen by the league's head coaches.

Day ranked third in the league with an average of 3.27 kills per set and ranked second with 304 total kills. He also posted a .281 attack percentage, ranking him 10th in the conference. Day eclipsed 10 kills in 17 matches, including a season-high of 19 on February 11 against Erskine. He posted a season-high of 11 digs on March 20 against the Mount Olive and added a season-high five blocks in the next match against Barton. He earned a spot on the first team.

Setter Joseph Morris and middle blocker Jibriel Elhaddad were also first team selections. Morris led the conference in assists this season, averaging 9.80 per set (832 total). He posted four double-doubles, including one with 10 blocks at King. Elhaddad ranked fourth in the conference in blocks with 90 total (11 solo, 79 assists)

Zach Puentes and Alejandro Leon were members of the second team.

Belmont Abbey, regular-season champions for the second time in three years, begins its quest for a third straight conference tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth on Saturday.. The Crusaders, predetermined as the tournament host, plays No. 4 seed North Greenville at 5 p.m.

2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Volleyball All-Conference Awards
Offensive Player of the Year
Caden Day, Belmont Abbey

Defensive Player of the Year
Luca Colombo, Mount Olive

Freshman of the Year
Davide Nicolini, Lees-McRae

Coach of the Year
Sam Albus, Lees-McRae

First Team
Caden Day, Belmont Abbey
Kory Grant, Mount Olive
Jibriel Elhaddad, Belmont Abbey
Aidan Feeney, Emmanuel
Davide Nicolini, Lees-McRae
Joseph Morris, Belmont Abbey
Luca Colombo, Mount Olive

Second Team
Zach Puentes, Belmont Abbey
Maksim Kazanov, Mount Olive
Tyler Kuehl, Erskine
Yoriano Velez Vega, North Greenville
Landon Richter, North Greenville
Jackson Lahey, Mount Olive
Alejando Leon, Belmont Abbey

Third Team
Lawson Hink, Barton
True Bauer, Erskine
Ryan Geraci, Barton
Brooks Ignosci, Mount Olive
Ben Fincham, Lees-McRae
Andrew Copp, North Greenville
Mikey Widmyer, Erskine