Bridgewater, NJ — Whether it was on the court, in the classroom or in the community, Northeast Conference (NEC) senior men’s volleyball standout Andrew Deardorff (Itasca, IL/Lake Park) undoubtedly aced his star-studded career at Saint Francis U.
Serving up a league-leading 53 aces to go along with 384 kills in his final season in Loretto to earn NEC Player of the Year distinction, Deardorff’s strong commitment to academic excellence and his unwavering dedication to service culminated in the outside hitter taking home the league’s most prestigious individual honor.
Deardorff was chosen out of a pool of nine male finalists across the NEC’s core membership for the 2025 Male Team Student-Athlete of the Year Award. Presented by Provident Bank, the award weighs one’s leadership ability, athletic prowess and contributions to one’s community.
“Congratulations to Andrew on his selection as the 2025 NEC Male Team Student-Athlete of the Year,” exclaimed NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. “The NEC is well represented by extremely talented student-athletes who excel in the classroom, on the athletic stage and in their communities. Andrew is a bright star who rose to the challenge and epitomizes the values of being a Division I college-athlete with all he has accomplished during his stellar career in Loretto.”
Alongside Saint Francis U softball all-star Olivia Ulam (Canonsburg, PA/Canon McMillan), who was named the NEC Female Team Student-Athlete of the Year, Deardorff helped put another “first” in the recordbook.
Last season, Saint Francis U’s Peyton Blain (men’s volleyball) and Rachel Marsden (softball) crafted the first-ever institutional sweep of the award since the league began announcing one male team and one female team honoree in 2014-15. With Deardoff and Ulam turning the trick for the Red Flash once again this year, Saint Francis U is the first-ever conference member to pull off back-to-back sweeps of the award.
“Andrew leads by example more than his words, but his example of his work on the court, in the classroom and the community is second to none,” said Saint Francis U Director of Athletics Jim Brazill. “He is a great Saint Francis University representative of the NEC Male Team Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He will continue to be successful in the future and will also be a model of what a great student-athlete can be at Saint Francis University.”
The catalyst of potent a Red Flash attack that delivered a league-leading 13.46 kills per set against fellow conference mates, Deardorff, who finished the slate ranked sixth in the nation in aces per set (0.54), 12th in kills per set (3.92) and 12th in points per set (4.61), helped Saint Francis U continue its stranglehold on the NEC regular season title in 2025. The Red Flash have claimed the crown every year since the conference began sponsoring the sport in 2023, and during that stretch, they have made three trips to the NEC Tournament title match as well.
In three seasons as a league member, Deardorff found himself on the wrong side of an NEC match just three times, amassing an impressive 31-3 record for an impressive .912 winning percentage. A member of the elite 1,000-Kill Club, he is just one of three players in program history to eclipse 1,000 kills (1,022) and 100 service aces (109) on his career, and he is the first Red Flash baller to turn the trick since Stephen Braswell (2015-18).
“I am so proud of Andrew,” exclaimed Saint Francis U head men’s volleyball coach Mike Rumbaugh. “He was a four-year starter for us and stepped up to be the main man this year after we lost Nathan Zini to injury before the season. When Zini went down, Andrew’s leadership was incredible and his influence was to have his teammates follow his lead after they watched how much he worked to improve himself and the team. I am so glad that the NEC recognized him with this award.”
Deardorff inked a third All-NEC first team honor and an American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Honorable Mention All-America nod to his stellar résumé, which also features eight NEC/First Point weekly awards this past season.
Deardoff’s cumulative 3.68 GPA was comparatively as impressive as his .344 hitting percentage against conference competitors this season. The Accounting/Finance double major racked up a slew of academic awards. Earning Dean’s List distinction on six occasions, he is set to make his fourth appearance on the NEC Academic Honor Roll. In addition, Deardorff was the recipient of Saint Francis U’s Eugene and Rosemary Turano Award at the annual athletics banquet, an annual honor that is bestowed on the top senior male student-athlete.
“It means a lot to be recognized for more than just athletics; academics and service have played a huge role in my time at Saint Francis University,” said Deardorff. “I am incredibly thankful for the coaches who have pushed me to be my best, the professors who have challenged and supported me in the classroom and the staff who go above and beyond every day. They have all played a part in shaping who I am, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. I am proud to represent a school that values hard work, community and heart.”
In terms of service and giving back to the community, Deardorff killed it as well.
As captain of the Red Flash men’s volleyball team, he strived to build a team culture defined by accountability, work ethic and a shared commitment to winning. His dedication to service was reflected in his numerous volunteer efforts, including work with the American Red Cross’ “Bundle Up” initiative, the St. Vincent de Paul food bank and farm, Special Olympics and St. Michael Catholic Church’s Men’s Turkey Dinner, an annual event that raises funds for hurricane relief in different cities.
Deardorff was recently invited to train with the USA Volleyball Men’s U23 National Team. One of 21 athletes to receive the call to train from July 20-27 in Anaheim, CA, he has his sights set on making the cut for the 12-member roster, which will represent the United States later this summer at the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
NEC STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
2024-25 Andrew Deardorff, Saint Francis U (male team, volleyball)
Olivia Ulam, Saint Francis U (female team, softball)
2023-24 Peyton Blain, Saint Francis U (male team, volleyball)
Rachel Marsden, Saint Francis U (female team, softball)
2022-23 Sokol Ymeraj, St. Francis Brooklyn (male team, soccer)
Ashley Dana, CCSU (female team, cross country/track and field)
2021-22 Harald Sollund, St. Francis Brooklyn (male team, soccer)
Angie Rafter, CCSU (female team, cross country/track and field)
Mekenzie Saban, Saint Francis U (female team, softball)
2020-21 Djordje Spasic, St. Francis Brooklyn (male team, swimming and diving)
Tiffany Hanna, Wagner (female team, track and field)
2019-20 Jonathan Besselink, Wagner (male team, cross country/track and field)
Sara Phelan, Saint Francis U (female team, track and field)
2018-19 Evan McDonald, Fairleigh Dickinson (male team, baseball)
Pascalle Tego, Wagner (female team, golf)
2017-18 Charlton Boyd, Wagner (male team, tennis)
Dana Davis, Robert Morris (female team, lacrosse)
2016-17 Kyle Mummau, Bryant (male team, lacrosse)
Brianna Tredway, Wagner (female team, softball)
2015-16 Max Vogt, Bryant (male team, tennis)
Amanda Lucia, Wagner (female team, swimming)
2014-15 Phil Faccone, Wagner (male team, football)
Nicole Sleith, Robert Morris (female team, softball)
2013-14 Meredith Ketchmark, Wagner (swimming)
2012-13 Steve Cioicci, Wagner (football)
2011-12 Julia Prantl, Fairleigh Dickinson (tennis)
2010-11 Katherine Bossardet, CCSU (cross country, track and field)
2009-10 Kundayi Mawema, Bryant (field hockey)
2008-09 Alexandra Tomlinson, Wagner (swimming)
2007-08 Tiffany Hahn, Monmouth (track and field)
2006-07 Erika Jacobs, Saint Francis U (cross country, track and field)
2005-06 Joy Gallagher, Wagner (basketball, softball)
2004-05 Beth Swink, Saint Francis U (basketball)
2003-04 Naomi Campano, Mount St. Mary's (lacrosse)
2002-03 Sabrina Mariani, CCSU (soccer)