BRISTOL, Tenn. – On Monday Conference Carolinas announced their men's volleyball postseason awards as two Tornado were recognized.
Noah Melendez was selected Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference while
Joshua Kim garnered first team all-conference honors.
Melendez has had a spectacular season as he becomes the first Tornado to be selected Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year. He led Conference Carolinas in the regular season with an average of 2.67 digs per set. His 208 digs also lead the league as he is the only individual with at least 200 digs in the conference this season.
He has 10 matches this season with at least 10 digs, including two with at least 20 digs. He set a career-high with 20 digs at Barton College and topped that with 23 digs at the University of Mount Olive the next day. He was selected Conference Carolinas Specialist of the Week on February 22 and garnered Off The Block National Libero of the Week on March 8.
This marks the second time in his career he has been selected All-Conference Carolinas. In 2019 he garnered third team honors.
Kim has been a force for the Tornado offense all season as he ranks third in Conference Carolinas with an average of 4.07 kills per set. He is one of five individuals to average at least 4.00 kills per set. He has accounted for a Conference Carolinas-leading 330 kills the season, the only individual to reach 300 kills in the regular season. He has been equally impressive on the defensive end, ranking 10th in the league with an average of 2.04 digs per set. His 165 digs rank third in the league.
Kim has posted five double-doubles this season and has eclipsed the 30-kill plateau twice. He broke the school record with 36 kills while hitting .433 in a win at Mount Olive. He added 10 digs in that match. Later in the season he registered 31 kills against Belmont Abbey College to go along with 12 digs. Kim earned Off The Block National Position Player of the Week twice, as an opposite on January 25 and outside hitter on March 8. He has been selected Conference Carolinas Player of the Week three times, on January 25, February 8 and March 8.
This marks the second time he has earned All-Conference Carolinas honors, previously being selected to the third team in 2019.
