NEWARK, NJ – Saint Francis University men's volleyball head coach Mike Rumbaugh has been named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Coach of the Year for the 2023 season. Ryan Parker and Andrew Deardorff have been named to the All-NEC First Team, while Brandon Dunz, Thomas Leahey and Blake Liprando earned a spot on the All-NEC Second Team, the conference announced Tuesday.
 
Rumbaugh's NEC Coach of the Year honor comes after finishing the 2023 season with a 12-2 conference record and an eight-game winning streak, for the most conference wins in Saint Francis men's volleyball history. With this being the inaugural season of men's volleyball in the NEC, Rumbaugh is the first head coach to receive the NEC Coach of the Year award. This is the second time Rumabugh has received a Coach of the Year mention as he received it from the EIVA in 2006.
 
Parker, Deardorff, Dunz, Leahey and Liprando made their way on the NEC All-Tournament First and Second Teams this season after each of their stellar performances this season.
 
Parker led the Red Flash and the NEC as the setter and server this season. The Long Island, N.Y. native tallied the season out with 35 service aces and 692 assists. In addition, he earned eight NEC Prime Performers and two NEC Player of the Week awards on the season.
 
Deardorff was a key component in the Red Flash landing the NEC Regular Season Champions title. The hitter closed out the season with a new career high of 23 kills in the teams win over Daemen. Deardorff earned two NEC Prime Performers this season and finished the season with 203 kills overall. Liprando came just ahead of Deardorff with 231 kills on the season. Liprando earned three NEC Prime Performers and was named NEC Player of the Week once this season.
 
Dunz and Leahey worked as a middle blocker duo all season. The duo combined for 146.0 total blocks on the season. Dunz with 76.0 total blocks and Leahey with 70.0. Dunz was named NEC Defensive Player of the Week four times this season and notched a spot on the NEC Prime Performer list five times. Leahey was named NEC Defensive Player of the Week once and picked up an NEC Prime Performer six times this season.

Saint Francis will host the NEC Tournament from April 19-22 in Loretto, Pa. The team will open up in the Semifinal round on Thursday, April 20 at 7:00 p.m. with opponent to be decided in the opening round on Wednesday, April 19.