ATLANTA, Ga. (January 12, 2023) - Outside hitter
Ras Jesse Delancy of Benedict was selected as this year’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honor alongside his teammate,
Clint Forbes, who was chosen as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, announced Thursday by the league office.
Thirteen of the fourteen players were 2022 All-SIAC selections, with Fort Valley State picking up an additional second-team selection. This year’s preseason team represents five programs, five countries, and five states.
All votes are submitted by SIAC head volleyball coaches and sports information directors.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Ras Jesse Delancy, Outside Hitter
Benedict College
Delancy, a native of the Bahamas, was a top contender for the Tigers during their inaugural season. The junior outside hitter was the SIAC Player of the Year last season while leading the conference in kills per set (3.66). He also finished third in the league in hitting percentage (.278) during their first season.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Clint Forbes, Libero
Benedict College
Forbes was a defensive leader for the Tigers and the conference last season, finishing second in digs per set (2.51). The Bahamas native tallied 209 total digs last season.
2023 Men’s Volleyball Preseason Ranking
- Edward Waters
- Central State
- Benedict
- Fort Valley State
- Kentucky State
- Morehouse
Preseason Outlook
Last year’s conference runner-up, Edward Waters, is the unanimous preseason favorite this year after finishing 12-19 overall and 9-1 in league play, tied with Central State for the 2022 Regular Season Championship title. The Tigers return three sophomore all-conference selections in right side hitter Evens Edouard, middle blocker Joelvi Jimenez, and outside hitter Kaelen Ingram. EWU introduced Lauren Ford, a former professional player and Division 1 athlete, as its new head coach on Jan. 6 for their 2023 season.
Central State went 11-13 overall and 9-1 in conference play last season and went on to win their first SIAC Championship after defeating Edward Waters in a five-set thriller. Sophomore outside hitter Cameron Lee and middle blocker D’Aaron McCraney are among those returning for the Marauders under the leadership of head coach Anitra Brockman who was named to the position last May. They are joined by the 2022 SIAC Libero of the Year Victor Scherer and 2022 SIAC Setter of the Year Marcus Franck.
Benedict landed three standout student-athletes on the league’s preseason team after finishing 7-13 overall and 4-6 in conference play last season. Head coach Gwendolyn Rouse returns this season after being named the 2022 SIAC Coach of the Year in her first season leading the men’s team. The Tigers will have the 2023 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Ras Jesse Delancy at outside hitter alongside the 2023 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Clint Forbes. They also return veteran senior Donovan Wilmott as middle hitter.
Fort Valley State, guided by father-son duo Larry and Ed Wrather, returns this season after leading the Wildcats to a third-place finish in the regular season with a 6-13 overall record and a 6-4 conference record. In addition to the sophomore outside hitter Oshane Farquharson and sophomore setter Justin Yates, they are joined by middle hitter Rashaun Wright who debuts in this year’s preseason team.
Kentucky State finished 3-14 overall and 2-8 in conference play, with head coach Eileen Butts guiding the Thorobreds after taking over the team last August. KSU returns sophomore outside hitter Jordan Howard who led the Breds in kills last season (103).
Morehouse rounds out this year’s preseason ranking. Head coach Ashley Johnson is looking to make a comeback as the 2023 season gets underway.
Preseason All-Conference Team & Superlatives
A complete listing of the 2023 Men’s Volleyball Preseason All-SIAC Teams and individual award winners can be found below.
Superlative Awards
| Preseason Offensive Player of the Year |
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year |
| Ras Jesse Delancy, Benedict |
Clint Forbes, Benedict |
2023 Men’s Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
| First Team |
| Ras Jesse Delancy* |
Outside Hitter |
Benedict |
Junior |
Nassau, Bahamas |
| Evens Edouard* |
Outside Hitter |
Edward Waters |
Sophomore |
Punta Cana, D.R. |
| Cameron Lee* |
Outside Hitter |
Central State |
Sophomore |
Edmond, OK |
| Joelvi Jimenez* |
Middle Hitter |
Edward Waters |
Sophomore |
Santo Domingo, D.R. |
| D’Aaron McCraney* |
Middle Hitter |
Central State |
Sophomore |
Las Vegas, NV |
| Victor Scherer* |
Libero |
Central State |
Sophomore |
Porto Alegve, Brazil |
| Marcus Franck* |
Setter |
Central State |
Sophomore |
Congonhas, Brazil |
| Second Team |
| Oshane Farquharson* |
Outside Hitter |
Fort Valley State |
Sophomore |
Hollywood, Fla. |
| Kaelen Ingram* |
Outside Hitter |
Edward Waters |
Sophomore |
Belize City, Belize |
| Jordan Howard* |
Outside Hitter |
Kentucky State |
Sophomore |
Chesapeake, Virginia |
| Rashaun Wright |
Middle Hitter |
Fort Valley State |
Sophomore |
D'Abadie, Trinidad & Tobago |
| Donovan Wilmott* |
Middle Hitter |
Benedict |
Senior |
Nassau, Bahamas |
| Clint Forbes* |
Libero |
Benedict |
Sophomore |
Nassau, Bahamas |
| Justin Yates* |
Setter |
Fort Valley State |
Sophomore |
Carlsbad, California |
*2022 SIAC All-Conference Honoree