All-American selections
ROCHESTER, N.Y. --
Frank Leahy, a senior setter, and
Billy Gimello, a freshman outside hitter, have each been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association's (AVCA) Division III All-American team. Leahy was a first-team selection and Gimello made second team as they helped Nazareth to a 28-5 record in 2009.
The selections were made by the AVCA Division III Men's volleyball All-America Committee, which includes chairman Charlie Sullivan (Springfield), Tim Byram (Endicott), Jonah Carson (University of California, Santa Cruz), Patrick Dorywalski (Stevens Institute of Technology), Allison Gunther (Baruch), Keith Koch (Medaille) and Craig Kolek (Rivier).
Leahy, of Smithtown, N.Y. and a graduate of Smithtown High School, finished the season with 1,397 assists (13.18 per set) to rank among the national leaders in that category. He finished his career with 4,753 assists, by far the most in Nazareth's five-year history. Leahy was a second-team All-American selection in 2008 and was honored earlier this season as AVCA Division III Player of the Week.
Gimello, of Hauppauge, N.Y. and a graduate of Hauppauge High School, led the Golden Flyers in kills in 2009 with 457 (4.15 per set). He also posted a fine .362 hitting percentage to rank among the national leaders and ranked second on the team with 36 service aces. Gimello was the only freshman recognized on either the first or second team and was also named the 2009 AVCA Newcomer of the Year.
The Golden Flyers enjoyed their finest men's volleyball season ever in 2009 as they finished 28-5, were ranked fifth nationally and reached the finals of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association Tournament at MIT earlier this month.