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Off the Block announced Wednesday that a nationwide voting committee of college coaches selected Lincoln Memorial setter AJ Risavy as the 2018 Off the Block Independent Teams Freshman of the Year.
The Independent Teams Freshman of the Year recognizes the best player during the regular season from NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball teams that are competing without a conference affiliation. The four independent teams this season are Alderson Broaddus, Coker, Lincoln Memorial and Queens.
Risavy guided the Lincoln Memorial offense to the best attack percentage for an independent team at .220 and was second among all independent players averaging 8.59 assists per game. The freshman setter also had a 1.44 digs per game average and helped the Railsplitters earn the No. 1 seed for the upcoming IVA Tournament.
Along with this award, Risavy was named the Springbak/Off the Block National Freshman of the Week after having a team-high nine digs and leading Lincoln Memorial to hit .370 in a sweep against Coker during the weekend.
A voting committee comprised of head coaches from all four independent teams determined the Independent Teams Freshman of the Year.
Risavy in the voting received six points — two more points than runner-up Queens middle attacker Aleksandar Perisic.
Off the Block is a website that launched in 2011 and is the nation’s leader in college men’s volleyball coverage.
Besides the Independent Teams Freshman of the Year, Off the Block presents the All-Independent Team and the Independent Teams Player of the Year. The college men’s volleyball website also presents the Independent Teams Player of the Week throughout the regular season.
All four independent teams will conclude their seasons competing at the IVA Tournament that begins Friday in Philippi, West Virginia.
2018 Independent Teams Freshman of the Year voting
1. AJ Risavy, Lincoln Memorial — 6 points
2. Aleksandar Perisic, Queens — 4 points
3. Chase Christiansen, Alderson Broaddus — 3 points
4 Conner Nagaki, Queens — 2 points