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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. 15 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. 15
Taylor Sander, BYU (2011-2014)
Awards and honors: 2011 National Newcomer of the Year, 2011 Second-Team All-American, 2011 MPSF Freshman of the Year, 2011 First-Team All-MPSF, 2012 First-Team All-American, 2012 First-Team All-MPSF, 2012 First-Team All-MPSF, 2013 MPSF Player of the Year, 2013 First-Team All-American, 2013 First-Team All-MPSF, 2014 National Player of the Year, 2014 Fan Choice National Player of the Year, 2014 National Server of the Year finalist, 2014 MPSF Player of the Year, 2014 First-Team All-American, 2014 First-Team All-MPSF
Player bio: Sander finished his career setting program records during the rally scoring era with both 1,765 career kills and 188 career aces. The future U.S. Men’s National Team player was in the nation’s top five for kills for three consecutive seasons. Sander during his senior season was second in the country with a 4.60 kills per game average and fifth nationally with a 0.50 aces per game average as the Cougars reached the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. In addition, Sander had a 3.94 kills per game average in 2013 and helped BYU advance to the NCAA Tournament finals. Sander hit more than .300 in each of his four seasons and had a career-best .395 attack percentage in 2012.
Best players to wear No. 15 by conference
Big West: Patrick Gasman, Hawai’i
ConfCarolinas: Matthew McManaway, North Greenville
EIVA: Christopher DeLucie, Sacred Heart
MIVA: Bobby Walsh, Lewis
MPSF: Taylor Sander, BYU
Independents: Joao Victor Santos, Coker
Honorable mentions: Jake Arnitz, UCLA; Anders Nelson, Ball State; Roque Nido, NJIT; Kyle Russell, UC Irvine; Brenden Sander, BYU