KENOSHA — The Carthage College men's volleyball team announced that Ryan Morey was named the AVCA Region IV Player of the Year on Monday. Additionally, Ryan Bartz and Ben Heise were also selected for the Region IV list.

Morey also earned CCIW Co-Setter of the Year honors for the second time in his career. The senior led the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with 10.14 assists per set and recorded 730 assists this season, bringing his career total to 1,895. He posted a season-best 50 assists against North Central (Ill.) on March 18 and earned both All-CCIW First Team and AVCA All-Region recognition.

Ryan Bartz, the CCIW Offensive Student-Athlete of the Year, became the first Firebird to earn the conference's top offensive honor since 2022. The senior led the league with 3.83 kills per set, ranking 19th nationally, and totaled 77 service aces while securing All-CCIW First Team honors. He recorded a season-high 21 kills against Stevens on Feb. 5 and delivered a strong showing from the service line against North Central (Ill.) on March 18.

Ben Heise added to Carthage's accolades with All-CCIW First Team recognition. He finished sixth in the conference with a .356 hitting percentage and ranked fifth with 3.15 kills per set. Nationally, Heise sits 38th in hitting percentage and posted a season-high 20 kills against UC Santa Cruz on Feb. 13. Through three seasons, he has compiled 712 career kills.

Carthage will host opening-round NCAA Tournament matches Thursday, April 16, with Dominican (Ill.) facing Thiel. Second-round action is set for Friday, April 17, as Southern Virginia meets Loras, with quarterfinal spots on the line.

The Firebirds will await the winner between Dominican (Ill.) and Thiel. Carthage previously defeated Dominican (Ill.) 3-0 at home on March 14. The teams have met twice in NCAA Tournament play, with the Firebirds winning both matches in straight sets in 2021 and 2022 to advance to the national semifinals and championship match, respectively.