LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the first time in men's volleyball program history, a pair of Saints teammates have been named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region I Team, as senior Louis Da Silva and junior Michael Shelley earned the postseason accolades from the AVCA on Monday afternoon.

The combo of Saints helped Emmanuel to a 19-12 season, including 10-4 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play. The .714 winning percentage in GNAC play is the best percentage since 2013 when the Saints finished 12-2 (.857) in conference play.

Da Silva saved his best for last as the senior middle blocker proved to be one of the nation's preeminent defensive players. The Marseille, France native averaged 1.177 blocks per set this season, leading the GNAC and ranking third in NCAA Division III in blocks per set. His attack percentage of .431 was good for 11^th in the nation. In single-season team history, the .431 attack percentage is the best in program history, while the 1.177 blocks per set is the second-best ever in the program. His season culminated with the GNAC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Shelley made his second consecutive AVCA All-Region I Team after another strong season for the Saints. One of the best outside hitters in the region, his 3.95 kills per set led the GNAC, while his 324 total kills were third-most in the league. A native of San Francisco, Calif., Shelley's kills per set ranked 21^st in NCAA Division III. He added a points accounted for per set average of 4.76, ranking him 11^th in the nation.

Five other GNAC student-athletes join Da Silva and Shelley on the All-Region I Team, with Wentworth placing three players and Lasell adding two more names to the All-Region I list.

Next in the process is the AVCA determining the All-American Teams as the 56 total student-athletes from all four regions are eligible to be named an AVCA All-American. At the end of the process, 28 student-athletes will be named to the All-American Teams, 14 to each the First Team and Second Team. 

Shelley was named to an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention last season, becoming the second player in program history to earn an AVCA All-America designation by the organization, joining Curtis Abram ('11), who earned a spot on the AVCA Second Team in 2011.

The final list of AVCA All-Americans and Honorable Mentions will be announced on Monday, April 21.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 56 STUDENT-ATHLETES NAMED TO THE AVCA ALL-REGION TEAMS