Merrick McHenry (13) on the attack.
Photo by: Don Liebig/ASUCLA
Merrick McHenry Named Ryan Millar Award Winner
May 25, 2023 | Men's Volleyball
Merrick McHenry was named as the recipient of the 2023 Ryan Millar Award in an announcement on Thursday by Off the Block. The Ryan Millar Award, which is named for the former U.S. Olympian and BYU All-American middle attacker, recognizes the nation's top men's volleyball middle attacker. A nationwide committee of more than 30 media and coaches voted to determine the award winner.
McHenry led the nation in hitting percentage in 2023 with a .526 attack percentage which is the second-highest mark in UCLA rally scoring era history. He earned first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America and first-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) honors this year while helping UCLA capture its first NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship since 2006 and the program's 20th overall title in the sport. McHenry also ranked ninth in the NCAA in blocks per set average (1.05).
The MVP of the MPSF Tournament, McHenry hit over .800 with 20 kills in the two Bruin tournament matches. He compiled an attack percentage of at least .500 in 20 total matches over the course of the season. McHenry posted double-digit kills in 11 contests and recorded at least three blocks in 16 matches. The Texas native racked up a season-high 15 kills in a win over UC Irvine and a season-best five aces in a victory at Stanford. His high of 12 blocks this season came in a home win over Pepperdine.
McHenry's season-total of 18 block solos rates tied for third on the all-time school rally scoring era list. He was named Off the Block's Co-Middle Attacker of the Week for his play in matches against Penn State and Hawai'i in the OUTRIGGER Invitational where he was selected to the All-Tournament team. McHenry was also chosen Off the Block's Co-Middle Attacker of the Week two additional times after leading UCLA to a pair of wins each over both UC Irvine and Pepperdine.
McHenry, who was the runner-up for the Ryan Millar Award last year, is the second Bruin men's volleyball player to win the award. Daenan Gyimah was voted the Ryan Millar Award winner for three straight seasons from 2018 to 2020. The award was first presented following the 2016 season. Off the Block is a national award winning website that launched in 2011 and is the nation's leader in college men's volleyball coverage. Bruin Guy Genis, who is a finalist for Off the Block's National Blocker of the Year Award, tied for ninth in the voting.
2023 Ryan Millar Award voting results
1. Merrick McHenry, UCLA – 90 votes
2. Toby Ezeonu, Penn State – 36 vote
3. Simon Torwie, Long Beach State – 18 votes
4. Guilherme Voss, Hawai'i – 15 votes
T-5. Bryce Walker, Purdue Fort Wayne – 4 votes
T-5. Rico Wardlow, Grand Canyon – 4 votes
T-7. Michael da la Cruz, North Greenville – 3 votes
T-7. Felix Egharevba, Ball State – 3 votes
T-9. Matthew Gentry, Lincoln Memorial – 2 votes
T-9. Guy Genis, UCLA – 2 vote
T-11. Vanis Buckholz, Ball State – 1 vote
T-11. Nicodemus Meyer, Loyola – 1 vote
McHenry led the nation in hitting percentage in 2023 with a .526 attack percentage which is the second-highest mark in UCLA rally scoring era history. He earned first-team American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America and first-team All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) honors this year while helping UCLA capture its first NCAA Men's Volleyball Championship since 2006 and the program's 20th overall title in the sport. McHenry also ranked ninth in the NCAA in blocks per set average (1.05).
The MVP of the MPSF Tournament, McHenry hit over .800 with 20 kills in the two Bruin tournament matches. He compiled an attack percentage of at least .500 in 20 total matches over the course of the season. McHenry posted double-digit kills in 11 contests and recorded at least three blocks in 16 matches. The Texas native racked up a season-high 15 kills in a win over UC Irvine and a season-best five aces in a victory at Stanford. His high of 12 blocks this season came in a home win over Pepperdine.
McHenry's season-total of 18 block solos rates tied for third on the all-time school rally scoring era list. He was named Off the Block's Co-Middle Attacker of the Week for his play in matches against Penn State and Hawai'i in the OUTRIGGER Invitational where he was selected to the All-Tournament team. McHenry was also chosen Off the Block's Co-Middle Attacker of the Week two additional times after leading UCLA to a pair of wins each over both UC Irvine and Pepperdine.
McHenry, who was the runner-up for the Ryan Millar Award last year, is the second Bruin men's volleyball player to win the award. Daenan Gyimah was voted the Ryan Millar Award winner for three straight seasons from 2018 to 2020. The award was first presented following the 2016 season. Off the Block is a national award winning website that launched in 2011 and is the nation's leader in college men's volleyball coverage. Bruin Guy Genis, who is a finalist for Off the Block's National Blocker of the Year Award, tied for ninth in the voting.
2023 Ryan Millar Award voting results
1. Merrick McHenry, UCLA – 90 votes
2. Toby Ezeonu, Penn State – 36 vote
3. Simon Torwie, Long Beach State – 18 votes
4. Guilherme Voss, Hawai'i – 15 votes
T-5. Bryce Walker, Purdue Fort Wayne – 4 votes
T-5. Rico Wardlow, Grand Canyon – 4 votes
T-7. Michael da la Cruz, North Greenville – 3 votes
T-7. Felix Egharevba, Ball State – 3 votes
T-9. Matthew Gentry, Lincoln Memorial – 2 votes
T-9. Guy Genis, UCLA – 2 vote
T-11. Vanis Buckholz, Ball State – 1 vote
T-11. Nicodemus Meyer, Loyola – 1 vote
Players Mentioned
MB
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