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It’s all about the numbers — particularly the number on the jersey.
Off the Block is unveiling the best player to wear each jersey number in NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball during the 25-point rally scoring era.
The latest installment in this summer series examines the best to don the No. 1 jersey. Check out Off the Block throughout June as it continues to reveal the best in the sport to wear each number.
Best player to wear No. 1
Erik Shoji, Stanford (2009-2012)
Awards and honors this decade: First-Team All-Decade, 2010 Second-Team All-MPSF, 2010 First-Team All-American, 2011 First-Team All-MPSF, 2011 First-Team All-American, 2012 Second-Team All-MPSF, 2012 First-Team All-American
Player bio: Throughout his illustrious career, Shoji racked up 1,402 digs, the most in college volleyball history, even surpassing the sideout scoring mark. Shoji helped lead the Cardinal to the National Title in 2010. Additionally, Shoji is the namesake for the “Erik Shoji Award”, given out annually by Off the Block to the nation’s top libero. Shoji is currently the starting libero for the U.S. Men’s National Team and is widely considered the greatest libero to ever play collegiate men’s volleyball.
Best players to wear No. 1 by conference
Big West: Joe Worsley, Hawai’i
ConfCarolinas: Aleksa Brkovic, Barton
EIVA: Jabarry Goodridge, NJIT
MIVA: Steven Kehoe, Ohio State
MPSF: Erik Shoji, Stanford
Independents: Benjamin Bravo, Alderson Broaddus
Honorable mentions: Raymond Barsemian, Concordia-Irvine; Luis Bertran, Purdue Fort Wayne; Davide Gardini, BYU; Jeff Menzel, UC Santa Barbara; Matt West, Pepperdine