MVB: Lasell Earns Four Major Awards, Six All-Conference Selections

MVB: Lasell Earns Four Major Awards, Six All-Conference Selections
April 17, 2026

Newton, MA- The Lasell University men's volleyball team earned major recognition from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) following a standout 2026 season, highlighted by four major award winners and six All-Conference selections.

Senior outside hitter Jasper Schultz was named GNAC Offensive Player of the Year after leading one of the league's most dynamic attacks. Schultz totaled 316 kills at 3.95 per set while hitting .260 on the year, adding 127 digs and 350.0 points (4.4 per set). He recorded double-digit kills in 16 matches, including a season-high 31 against Wentworth, and consistently delivered in matchups against nationally-ranked opponents.

Sophomore libero Ryan Mesnik earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, anchoring the Lasers' back row with 227 digs (2.47 per set). He added 44 assists and came through in key moments all season, including a 19-dig performance in the GNAC Championship to earn All-Tournament Team recognition.

Freshman Branch Barnes was named Rookie of the Year after a breakout season in Lasell's 6-2 system. Barnes finished with 153 kills (1.70 per set), 342 assists (3.80 per set), and 215.0 points (2.4 per set), while also contributing 65 digs, 57 blocks, and 30 service aces—ranking among the league leaders from the service line.

Head coach Jeff Vautrin was selected as GNAC Coach of the Year after guiding the No. 14 nationally-ranked Lasers to a perfect 7-0 conference record and a 21-7 overall mark, earning the top seed in the GNAC Tournament and a trip to the championship match.

Lasell placed three players on the GNAC All-Conference First Team, led by Schultz and Mesnik, along with sophomore middle blocker Paten Buckwalter. Buckwalter was a dominant presence at the net, totaling 123 kills at a .357 hitting percentage—one of the top marks in the conference—while adding 26 service aces. He was a key force defensively, contributing to 181.5 total blocks (2.1 per set), helping anchor a Lasell front line that ranked among the best in Division III.

Three Lasers earned Second Team honors, including freshman Branch Barnes, senior outside hitter Teddy Teraszkiewicz, and sophomore setter Trystan Maloney. Teraszkiewicz appeared in all 27 matches, totaling 96 kills (1.07 per set) on a .250 hitting percentage, while adding 37 digs and 10 service aces to provide a steady two-way presence on the outside. Maloney paced the Lasers' offense with 498 assists (5.30 per set), adding 94 digs and 29.0 total blocks while also contributing offensively with seven kills. His ability to distribute and defend played a key role in Lasell ranking among the conference leaders in assists.

Rounding out the honors, Eric Chan was named to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

 

In addition to conference honors, Jasper Schultz, Ryan Mesnik, Branch Barnes, and Paten Buckwalter were all recognized on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region Team.