BUFFALO, NY – The AMCC announced its yearly all-conference team and award winners with four members of the Buffalo State men's volleyball team earning recognition in
Malachi Jackson (Buffalo, NY/Cheektowaga),
Kaden Strong (Buffalo, NY/West Seneca East),
Alex Vega (Cambita Garabitos, Dominican Republic), and
Drew Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park). In addition, Jackson was named the AMCC Player of the Year while head coach
Daniel Miranda earned AMCC Coach of the Year.
Jackson caps off a spectacular year for Buffalo State with the program's first Player of the Year honor as well as a First Team All-Conference pick. Jackson was a crucial piece of the Bengals first ever AMCC Championship as he led the team and AMCC in kills (255), kills per set (3.70), points per set (4.2), and was third in the conference with a .305 attack percentage across 69 sets played. Jackson also set the program record for kills in a season and was named to the AMCC All-Tournament Team.
Strong also earns a First Team All-Conference selection after continuing to be a staple of the Bengals' lineup. Across 100 sets played, Strong was third on the team with 214 kills and led the team and AMCC with a .376 attack percentage. Strong was also impressive on the defensive end tallying 68.0 total blocks, good to lead the Bengals and tied for third in the conference. Strong was also named to the AMCC All-Tournament Team and set program marks in sets played and hitting percentage.
Vega rounds out the First Team All-Conference selections for the Bengals in addition to being named to the AVCA All-Region II Team. In his first season with the Bengals, Vega totaled 330 digs and a .968 reception percentage averaging 3.40 digs per set. Vega led the conference in digs and digs per set while also setting new program marks in both categories.
Bowman finishes the Bengals All-Conference honorees earning a spot on the Second Team. The freshman setter led the team with 625 assists averaging 9.77 assists per set across 64 sets played. Bowman was third in the conference in assists and sat atop the leaderboards in attempts per set.
Miranda is the fourth Buffalo State coach to earn conference honors this year. Miranda led the Bengals to 19 wins in the regular season and their first ever conference championship. Miranda kick started the program a year ago and has already built a foundation for the Bengals to be constant threat for a conference title. This is also the second time in his coaching career earning the recognition as he was the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Coach of the Year following the 2018 season.
