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Opposite Evan Cory is concluding his college career winning the top individual honor in back-to-back seasons for a player on an independent team
The Lincoln Memorial senior received all but one first-place vote to win the 2020 Off the Block/Frisco Mo Independent Teams Player of the Year that was unveiled Thursday on Off the Block.
The Independent Teams Player 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 seven independent teams this season were Alderson Broaddus, Daemen, Lincoln Memorial, Queens St. Francis Brooklyn.
Cory finished fifth in the nation with a 4.26 kills per game average and had a career-best a .365 attack percentage. The opposite had at least 20 kills in five matches, including a match-high 24 kills in a road victory against Belmont Abbey in February.
Along with his offensive performance, Cory was in the nation’s top 25 with both a 2.05 digs per game average and a 0.47 aces per game average.
Cory during his senior season also surpassed the career milestones of 1,000 kills, 500 digs, 250 blocks and 150 aces.
Lincoln Memorial ended the abbreviated season because of the coronavirus outbreak with a program-record .778 winning percentage. In addition, the Railsplitters were ranked No. 7 in the Off the Block/Frisco Mo Division II National Coaches Poll.
Head coaches of NCAA Division I-II independent teams comprised the voting committee for the Independent Teams Player of the Year.
This is the fifth year that Off the Block has presented the Independent Teams Player of the Year. Cory along with winning the award the last two years was the runner-up for in 2018 and earned a third-place finish in the voting as a freshman in 2017.
Along with presenting the Independent Teams Player of the Year, Off the Block presents the All-Independent Team and the Independent Teams Freshman of the Year. The college men’s volleyball website also presents the Independent Teams Player of the Week throughout the regular season.
Off the Block is a national award winning website that started in 2011 and is the nation’s leader in college men’s volleyball coverage.
Frisco Mo is an online store committed to producing volleyball apparel and decor that is unique and emphasizes the fun of volleyball.
2020 Off the Block/Frisco Mo Independent Teams Player of the Year voting results
1. Evan Cory, Lincoln Memorial — 18 (6) votes
2. Pedro Carvalho, Lincoln Memorial — 7 votes
3. Zach Yerington, Daemen — 5 (1) votes
4. Tristan Santoyo, Queens — 3 votes
5. Tyler Chavez, Urbana — 2 votes
6. Dominick Pikura, St. Francis Brooklyn — 2 votes