SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 22, 2006 - Springfield College sophomore outside hitter Eric Palumbo (Rochester, N.Y.) has been named a 2006 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) First-Team All-Star, in an announcement released on Monday, May 8th.

In the same announcement, freshman Ryan Fredrickson (Manahawkin, N.J.), freshman Andrew Sipe (New Oxford, Pa.), and sophomore Chris Shekell (Rochester, N.Y.) were all named EIVA Second-Team All-Stars.

Palumbo, Fredrickson, and Sipe have already been tabbed with American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III All-America honors for their strong performances this past season.

Palumbo, a native of Rochester, N.Y., led the Pride during the 2006 season in kills with a total of 404 for the year, good for a 4.34 kill per game average. The Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Division III Player of the Week on February 12th, Palumbo has attacked at a .232 clip this season for SC, while adding averages of 1.43 digs per game (133 total), .42 blocks per game (39 total), and .33 aces per game (31 total).

Fredrickson, an outside hitter from Manahawkin, N.J., compiled a very impressive rookie campaign for SC, ranked sixth as a team in Division III. Fredrickson has put together 340 kills on the season, good for second on the squad behind Palumbo and a 4.05 kill per game average. In a home match against NYU back on February 25th, the first-year racked up a notable 30 kills on 53 swings for a .321 hitting percentage.

Sipe, a middle blocker from New Oxford, Pa., topped SC in blocking by a wide margin this year, with a total of 110 and an average of 1.21 per game. Sipe added 175 kills on the season for a 1.92 kill per game average (third on team), as he recorded a team-best 32 service aces in his collegiate debut. The March 28th EIVA Division III Player of the Week compiled 10 blocks and seven kills in a home match against Juniata College back on March 24th.

Shekell, a sophomore setter from Rochester, N.Y., totaled over 1,000 assists this season, averaging an impressive 12.41 assists per game. Shekell also tallied 1.39 digs per game (122 total) and 48 blocks during the 2006 season. The Pride ended its 2006 season with a 10-15 overall record, falling to NYU in the EIVA Division III semifinals, 1-3, back on March 31st.

published: 05/22/2006