Men's Volleyball | 8/11/2026 8:00:00 AM
After helping Saint Francis men's volleyball make program history, standouts Brady Stump and Nathan Zini are taking the next step in their careers together.
In July, the duo signed professional contracts with Örkelljunga VK in Sweden.
Stump and Zini were key contributors as Saint Francis captured the 2026 NEC Tournament championship and earned the program's first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Stump was named the NEC Tournament MVP. The 6-foot-7 outside hitter led the team in kills and service aces. In fact, Stump finished third in the nation in aces per set.
Zini can also rip the serve. In 2024, he was named NEC Player of the Year. He finished his career at Saint Francis ranked No. 3 all time in service aces.
"I chose ÖVK because of their solid professionalism and the clear vision for development and success that exists in the association," Stump said in an ÖVK press release. "From the start, it felt like the right environment to grow in, as a player and teammate. The culture, expectations and dedication to excellence stood out to me. I look forward to being part of something that builds long-term success."
ÖVK officials said Stump's ability to score points and his technique stood out to them. ÖVK chairman Jörgen Larsson said he was intrigued by Zini's size and attitude.
Örkelljunga VK is a prominent Swedish volleyball club founded in 1982. Known locally as ÖVK, the club won Swedish men's national championship titles in 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Last season, the team captured the bronze medal.
