Pair of Highlanders Earn 2021 NVA/AVCA All-America Honors

A pair of Highlanders, outside hitter Alvaro Gimeno and middle blocker Luca Berger were named to the 2021 National Volleyball Association (NVA)/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) men's Division I-II All-America team.

A two-time AVCA All-American, Gimeno was selected to the 2021 EIVA first-team while Berger, a two time AVCA honorable mention, tabbed EIVA first-team honors concluding his collegiat career.

The 2021 AVCA selections were made by the AVCA Division I-II Men's Volleyball All-America Committee consisting of ten coaches, representing schools from across the nation. 

Alvaro Gimeno | AVCA All-American Second Team
A four-time EIVA first team honoree, Gimeno ranked in the top four in four EIVA statistical categories -- kills per set (4th; 3.41), total kills (5rd; 218), hitting percentage (4th; .315) and service aces per set (2nd; 0.47).  

A two-time EIVA Player of the Week and OffTheBlock National Attacker of the Week one time, Gimeno has recorded double-digit kills in 12 matches this season with a season-best 20 kills vs. then-ranked No. 4 Lewis.
 

Luca Berger | AVCA All-America Honorable Mention
A four-time EIVA first team honoree, Berger topped the EIVA in blocks per set (1.12) and second in total blocks (67). 

A graduate student from Brazil, Berger is a two-time EIVA Defensive Player of the Week and earned AVCA Player of the Year one time this season.  

The 6-foot-10 middle blocker, who ranks 10th in the nation in blocks per set, recorded a season-best eight total blocks in the Highlanders 3-0 sweep at home vs. Saint Francis U on February 25.