LEXINGTON, Ky. — The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has announced their fourth annual Division III Men's Volleyball Regional Awards, with Carter Schmidt, David Markes, and Zach Bulthuis all being named to the West Region list for the second-straight season. 

Carter Schmidt lands on the West Region list after placing second on the team in kills with 178 and the team leader in aces with 24. A two-time College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) first team all-conference award winner, Schmidt collected three CCIW Hitter of the Week selections this season. From Germantown, Wis., Schmidt ranks fourth in kills and aces in the conference while posting a season-best 16 kills against Stevens on February 10. 

David Markes, who was named AVCA Newcomer of the Year the previous season, was named to the West Region after posting 169 kills, third best on the team, 61 blocks, and 21 aces. Markes, from Wauwatosa, Wis., holds the No. 5 spot in hitting percentage and No. 4 in blocks while taking the No. 10 spots in points, kills, and aces in the conference. Markes was a CCIW first team award winner this year. 

Senior Zach Bulthuis adds another West Region honor to his resume after leading the team in blocks (67) and kills (183). A four-time CCIW first team award winner, Bulthuis from Tinley Park, Ill., leads the conference in hitting percentage (.468) while holding the third spot in blocks. 

The Firebirds start the NCAA Men's Volleyball Regional Tournament playing UC-Santa Cruz on Friday, April 21, in Naperville, Illinois at 6:30 p.m.