(LEBANON, Ill., May 21) – McKendree University men's head volleyball coach Nickie Sanlin has been named the 2019 Ivan Marquez Award Winner for the 2019 season after leading the Bearcats to their best season in program history, finishing 13-13 overall.

"To learn that I have been named the inaugural Ivan Marquez Award winner is an extreme honor," said Sanlin. "I am grateful to be recognized for the love and pride I have for my work and the young men I coach and care for on a daily basis. This season could not have been successful without the love and support from my parents, McKendree family, the volleyball community, and of course my team."

The Ivan Marquez Award is presented to the NCAA Division I-II men's volleyball head coach that best leads their team through adversity both on and off the court to meet or exceed preseason expectations.

McKendree was picked to finish second to last in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) preseason poll and had four graduated starters to replace in this year's lineup. Despite these setbacks, Sanlin led the Bearcats to their highest MIVA ranking, a victory over Ohio State University for the first time since joining the MIVA in 2015, and the program's first postseason MIVA Quarterfinal home match.

The team wasn't just successful in MIVA competition. Under Sanlin's reign McKendree took down No. 8 Brigham Young University, the highest nationally-ranked opponent the Bearcats have ever defeated. McKendree also finished the season ranked third in the Off the Block Division II National Coaches Poll, its highest ranking since the poll began in 2017.

More importantly, Sanlin was a strong leader for her team through a devastating time off the court after the passing of teammate, son, and friend Kirk Jackson (O'Fallon, MO/Fort Zumwalt West) in January. Sanlin helped the team cope and grieve, then led the team with heart and determination throughout the season to honor Jackson.

The Ivan Marquez Award is named in honor of former Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) executive director and Concordia-New York coach and athletics director Ivan Marquez. Marquez helped lead the league to its modern day form and grew the sport of men's volleyball along the East Coast. The award winner was determined by Off the Block staff, the nation's leader in college men's volleyball coverage.