Three members of the Lewis University men's volleyball team were recognized as the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association announced its all-conference teams on Thursday.
Senior
Nico Paula (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Preparatory School) and redshirt sophomore
Cameron Hoying (Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) were tabbed to the first team. Fellow senior
Daniel Haber (Remsenburg, NY/Westhampton Beach) earned a second team nod. It is the third first or second team All-MIVA honor for Paula while it is the first time Hoying or Haber have earned first or second team all-conference awards.
The only libero to land on the first team, Paula saved one of the best seasons of his collegiate career for the end as he finished the year with 252 digs and an average of 2.47 digs per set, both of which lead the MIVA. The two time MIVA Defensive Player of the Week, Paula notched 11 matches where he had 10-or-more digs, highlighted by a 22 dig performance against McKendree (April 4) that tied his own program record for total digs in a match.
Currently, Paula's 252 digs this season are tied with Victor Rivera (1997) for ninth all-time for digs in a single season while his 2.47 digs per set are tied with Rikki Garma for ninth all-time for digs per set in a single season.
A native of Remsenburg, N.Y., Haber ended the regular season as the Flyers leader in kills (297) and service aces (46). The senior notched 15 matches of 10-or-more kills, underscored by a 21 kill performance at Northern Kentucky (March 19). His 297 kills ended the year ranked third in the MIVA and top-20 nationally as well.
At the service line, Haber ranked sixth in the MIVA and top-20 nationally in aces per set (.45) while his 46 total aces ranked second. Haber tied his career-high in service aces with five against Rockhurst (February 13). Haber also aided the Flyers defensive efforts as his 70.0 tota blocks ranked second on the squad.
At the OUTRIGGER Invitational earlier this season, Haber earned all-tournament accolades after ending the weekend with 39 kills, 12 total blocks and four aces over three matches against #1 UCLA, #3 Hawai'i and Mount Olive.
Hoying enjoyed a breakout 2026 campaign as he set new career-highs in total kills (293), service aces (38) and solo blocks (8). The Columbus, Ohio, native was the only player on the squad to record multiple matches with 20-or-more kills, accomplishing the feat three times (March 19 (21), April 4 (20), April 9 (20)). Hoying was the first Flyer to have consecutive matches with 20-or-more kills since
Oguzhan Oguz (Bursa, Turkey/Ocean) had three matches with 20-or-more kills from March 15-22, 2025.
The first-team honoree also posted a hitting percentage north of .400 (min. 10 kills) on five occasions, highlighted by a career-high .483 against Manhattan (January 31). His 38 total aces ended the regular season ranked fourth in the MIVA while his .38 aces per set landed eighth.
The redshirt sophomore notched his first collegiate double-double on February fourth as he tallied 11 kills and 10 digs at McKendree. He joined
Daniel Haber (Remsenburg, NY/Westhampton Beach) (13 kills, 10 digs vs Pepperdine) as the only two Flyers this season to record a double-double in any match.
Additionally, men's volleyball alumni and current Ball State head coach Mike Iandolo (2008-10) was named the MIVA Head Coach of the Year as he led Ball State to a 22-4 (13-3 MIVA) record.
Lewis enters MIVA Tournament play as the No. 6 seed and will travel to Lindenwood to face the No. 3 seed Lions Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m.
For the latest news, scores, and updates on Lewis men's volleyball, visit LewisFlyers.com and follow the Flyers on social media at @Lewismensvb on Instagram and @LewisMVBall on X.
