Sanlin Named 2025 MIVA Coach of the Year; Five Bearcats Awarded All-MIVA Honors

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association announced its All-MIVA awards on Wednesday, April 16 before this weekend's opening round of the MIVA tournament hosted by McKendree. Head coach Nickie Sanlin and five Bearcats were awarded postseason honors including junior libero Yadiel Diaz, sophomore setter Nate Flayter, senior middle blocker D'Aaron McCraney, senior outside hitter Kevin Schuele, and redshirt junior outside hitter Sam Hoskin.

Diaz earned his career-first All-MIVA First Team award after being awarded All-MIVA Second Team last season. He ranks No. 3 in the conference in digs with 2.26 per set. This year, Diaz was named Defensive Player of the Week on Feb. 18. Earlier this season, against Rockhurst, he notched a career-high 20 digs. Flayter earns his first MIVA award on the first team after starting every match and set for the Bearcats. Flayter was awarded MIVA Defensive Player of the Week three times this season. He ranks No. 2 in digs in MIVA standings with 2.35 per set and No. 4 in assists with 10.02 per set.

McCraney was awarded All-MIVA Second Team for two years in a row. McCraney won MIVA Defensive Player of the Week on March 4. He leads the conference in hitting percentage, hitting .438. Schuele was voted to Second Team All-MIVA after his performance this season. Schuele averages 2.91 kills per set and 1.67 digs per set. Hoskin earns the first-ever MIVA award on the second team. Hoskin won MIVA Offensive Player of the Week on March 4. He leads the team in kills with 3.06 per set and averages 1.94 digs per set.

Sanlin was voted MIVA Coach of the Year after leading her team to the program's first MIVA regular-season title. The No. 12 McKendree University men's volleyball team posted a 13-3 conference record and a 19-7 overall record. Sanlin has led the team to a program-high 19 wins this season with a 12-game win streak.

The No. 2-seeded Bearcats enter postseason play Saturday, April 19 as they take on No. 7-seeded Purdue Fort Wayne at 6 p.m. in the Melvin Price Convocation Center in Lebanon, Ill.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Yadiel Diaz: DS/L; 5' 6"; Junior

#12 Sam Hoskin: OH; 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior

#19 Kevin Schuele: OH; 6' 4"; Senior

#23 D'Aaron McCraney: MB; 6' 9"; Senior

#26 Nate Flayter: Setter; 6' 4"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#6 Yadiel Diaz
: 5' 6"; Junior
: DS/L

#12 Sam Hoskin
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Junior
: OH

#19 Kevin Schuele
: 6' 4"; Senior
: OH

#23 D'Aaron McCraney
: 6' 9"; Senior
: MB

#26 Nate Flayter
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: Setter