Despite playing only a couple of conference matches, the Big West named an all-conference team in men’s volleyball.
UCSB’s Rick McLaughlin was selected as the Coach of the Year and three Gaucho seniors received first-team honors.
Outside hitter Randy DeWeese, middle Keenan Sanders and setter Casey McGarry were chosen to the 14-player first team and senior outside hitter Roy McFarland was a honorable mention selection.
They led UCSB to a 14-2 overall record and a No. 3 national ranking before the college spring sports season was canceled in mid-March due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The honor for McLaughlin is the first in his career. His Gauchos beat nine nationally ranked teams, were 8-0 at home and ranked in the top five in hitting percentage and kills, digs and assists per set.
Rand Parapunov, a senior opposite for Hawai’i, was named Player of the Year, and Cal State Northridge outside hitter Kyle Hobus and Long Beach State libero Mason Briggs were selected co-Freshman of the Year.
Parapunoz is Hawaii’s first player of the year honoree since 2003. He led Rainbow Warriors to a 14-1 record, topping the conference in kills per set (4.47) and points per set (5.28).