NORTH BOSTON, N.Y. (Jan. 9) – Saint Vincent College senior Matthew Minkin has been named the 2024 Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Men's Volleyball Co-Preseason Player of the Year, as voted upon by the league's head coaches.
 
Minkin (York, Pa./Central York) was a first team All-AMCC selection at outside hitter a season ago. He led the conference in kills per set (3.71) and points per set (4.0), while ranking fifth in digs per set (2.67) and sixth in hitting percentage. He also totaled 18 blocks and 15 service aces.
 
Last season, Minkin recorded 10 or more kills in 18 matches, including three 20-kill efforts, highlighted by a season-best 25 kills in a 3-2 win over Hiram on Feb. 14, while he recorded at least 10 kills while hitting over .300 in seven different matches. Minkin also reached double-figures in digs 15 times, with a season-best 15 in a 3-0 victory against Wells on March 25.
 
Last season marked Minkin's second career All-AMCC nod, as he earned third team plaudits in 2022 after averaging 3.30 kills and 2.16 digs per set.
 
Minkin shares the AMCC Preseason Player of the Year honor with Penn State-Behrend setter Alex Jackson.

In addition to its preseason honors, the AMCC released its men's volleyball preseason coaches poll, with the Bearcats picked fourth, behind defending champion Penn State-Behrend, Geneva and Thiel.
 
The 2023 season marked the best in the history of the SVC men's volleyball program, as the Bearcats, under coach Kate McCauley, finished 11-10 overall and 8-5 in AMCC play. The Bearcats qualified for the AMCC Championship Tournament as a No. 3 seed, and advanced to the semifinals after earning their first ever playoff win with a 3-0 decision over Hilbert in the quarterfinals.
 
Minkin and the Bearcats will open the 2024 season on Friday, Jan. 12, playing host to Division II Lees-McRae at 6 p.m. in the Robert S. Carey Student Center.