MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team was well represented on the 2026 All-Conference Carolinas Teams, highlighted by a historic achievement from Luca Colombo, who was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Colombo's recognition not only marks back-to-back honors, but also places him in a rare and elite category in program and conference history. He became the first two-time Defensive Player of the Year in Mount Olive history, surpassing previous winners such as Trevor Treser (2023) and Josh Donahue (2017), who each earned the award once.

On a conference level, Colombo is the first player to win the award in consecutive seasons since Michael McMahon of Barton accomplished the feat in 2014 and 2015. He is also one of just four players in Conference Carolinas history to win the award multiple times, tying for the most all-time as no player has won the honor more than twice.

Colombo backed up his historic recognition with a dominant season on the court. He currently ranks second nationally in digs per set (2.87). He also leads the conference in total digs (224), while averaging 3.30 digs per set in conference play. He recorded double-digit digs in 11 matches, including a season-high 24 at Erskine, and posted a perfect reception percentage in 12 matches.

Joining Colombo on the First Team All-Conference squad was Kory Grant, one of the league's top offensive performers. Grant ranked fifth in the conference in kills per set (3.20), fourth in service aces per set (0.34), and third in points per set (3.82), totaling 253 kills on the season. He recorded 12 double-digit kill performances, including a season-high 22 kills against Erskine, and added two double-doubles. His consistency was evident with eight matches hitting above .300 and two above .500.

Mount Olive added two Second Team selections in Maksim Kazanov and Jackson Lahey. Kazanov was a dominant presence at the net, ranking 13th nationally in blocks per set (1.06) and third in the conference. He also finished fourth in hitting percentage (.384) and totaled 64 block assists, recording at least one block assist in 19 of 20 matches.

Lahey orchestrated the Trojans' offense as one of the top setters in the league, ranking fourth in assists per set (9.08) and totaling 690 assists. He posted 20 or more assists in 21 of 22 matches, including a season-high 51 against Erskine, while also contributing 133 digs, 26 service aces, and two double-doubles.

Rounding out the Trojans' honorees was Brooks Ignosci, who earned Third Team All-Conference recognition.
Ignosci totaled 189 kills and averaged 2.76 kills per set in conference play, recording eight double-digit kill matches and tying a career-high with 19 kills twice during the season. He added 109 digs and 36 total blocks, highlighting his all-around contributions.

Mount Olive now turns its attention to the 2026 Conference Carolinas Men's Volleyball Championship.
The Trojans entered as the No. 2 seed and received a first-round bye and are set to face the No. 3 Lees-McRae in the semifinal round on Friday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wheeler Center on the campus of Belmont Abbey in Belmont.

Quarterfinal matches will be held on April 15 at campus sites, while the semifinals and championship (April 18-19) will take place in Belmont. Fans can follow the action via the Conference Carolinas Digital Network, with daily passes available for $10 and full tournament access for $20.

With a historic individual honor and five All-Conference selections, the Trojans carry significant momentum into postseason play.