The University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team achieved remarkable recognition with Luca Colombo being named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, a first in program history. He joins an elite group as one of only four players in Conference Carolinas history to win the award multiple times, and ranks second nationally in digs per set. Five Trojans also earned All-Conference honors, including Kory Grant on the First Team and two Second Team selections: Maksim Kazanov and Jackson Lahey. As they prepare for the 2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Volleyball Championship, the team carries a strong momentum from this recognition.

By the Numbers
  • Luca Colombo is the first two-time Defensive Player of the Year in Mount Olive history.
  • He ranks second nationally in digs per set with an average of 2.87.
  • Kory Grant recorded a total of 253 kills this season, averaging 3.20 kills per set.
State of Play
  • Mount Olive is the No. 2 seed entering the Conference Carolinas Men's Volleyball Championship.
  • The team received a first-round bye and will face No. 3 Lees-McRae in the semifinal on April 18.
  • Championship matches will take place from April 18-19 at Belmont Abbey.
What's Next

The Trojans aim to leverage their individual successes in the postseason, starting with the semifinal match against Lees-McRae. Continued strong performances from Colombo and others will be crucial as they vie for the championship title.

Bottom Line

With historic achievements and numerous accolades, Mount Olive's men's volleyball team enters the playoffs with significant confidence and talent, setting the stage for a strong postseason run.