PITMAN, NJ --- Rutgers-Newark’s Andrew Zaleck (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge) has been named the NJAC Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year and Kean’s Ian Capp (Mechanicsburg, PA/Mechanicsburg) is the Defensive Player of the Year, announced by the league office. Kean’s Derek Au (Orlando, FL/Timber Creek) also earned NJAC Rookie of the Year honors.

Their accolades highlight the 12-member NJAC Men’s Volleyball All-Conference Team and were selected based on a vote of the league’s head coaches.

Zaleck earns Player of the Year honors for the second straight year. The sophomore ranks second in the NJAC in points per set (5.12) and kills per set (4.28), fifth in hitting percentage (.307), and sixth in service aces per set (0.48). He led Rutgers-Newark to a three-set sweep of Kean in the NJAC title match with 18 kills, five digs, and three blocks. Zaleck was also key in the Scarlet Raiders’ run to the Continental Volleyball Conference semifinals. He was named NJAC Player of the Week on February 22.

Capp, a two-time NJAC All-Conference First Team pick and the 2019 NJAC Player of the Year, earns Defensive Player of the Year accolades. The senior All-American was a key component to the Cougars’ success both defensively and offensively. He scooped a league-best 2.05 digs per set and recorded 10 blocks this season (0.48/set). He recorded 5.62 assists and 2.14 kills per set, while serving up a league-best 1.29 service aces per set. Capp earned NJAC Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.

Au is named Rookie of the Year after quickly earning a spot in the Cougars’ rotation this season. The rookie setter averaged 3.75 assists per set, including a career-high 43 in a match against Rutgers-Newark. In that same match, he scooped a career-high 12 digs and recorded a career-best four blocks. Au earned NJAC Rookie of the Week on March 22.

NJCU head coach Carlo Edra was named NJAC Coach of the Year after leading the Gothic Knights to a 5-3 record this season. His team is also the No. 2 seed in the Skyline Conference Tournament. On the season-opening day, the Gothic Knights took a set from the then-No. 5 Scarlet Raiders. Edra’s team then went on to post five three-set sweeps in their next six matches. He coached four All-Conference selections – including two First Team honorees – and his squad picked up four NJAC weekly honors this season.