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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. 24 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. 24
Liam Maxwell, Belmont Abbey (2017-2020)
Awards and honors: 2018 First-Team All-ConfCarolinas, 2019 First-Team All-ConfCarolinas, 2020 ConfCarolinas Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Player bio: Maxwell became one of the first players in college men’s volleyball history during the rally scoring era to lead the nation in kills in back-to-back seasons. The New Jersey native had a nation-best 4.53 kills per game average on a career-best .334 attack percentage during the 2020 shortened season. In addition, Maxwell in 2019 led the nation averaging 4.51 kills per game and in 2018 was third in the country with a 4.32 kills per game average. Maxwell during this three-year span had double-digit kills in all but eight matches and had at least 20 kills in 20 matches. Along with his offensive performance, Maxwell holds the program’s career record with 138 aces.
Best players to wear No. 24 by conference
Big West: Connor Walbrecht, UC San Diego
ConfCarolinas: Liam Maxwell, Belmont Abbey
EIVA: Tony Ensbury, Princeton
MIVA: Drake Silbergnagel, Grand Canyon
MPSF: Ryan Moss, USC
Independents: Cristian Rodriguez, Concordia-Irvine
Honorable mentions: Ethan Carroll, McKendree; Henri Cherry, UC Santa Barbara; Evan Licht, UC Santa Barbara; Carlos Rivera, Long Beach State; Alex Shmelev, Grand Canyon