Kuziela Named MVP, Men’s Volleyball Announces 2026 Team Awards

Head coach Brandon Mueller letters 13 student-athletes

4/30/2026 10:00:00 AM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Following a historic 2026 season, the Illinois Wesleyan University men's volleyball team announced its team awards and letterwinners at the annual banquet Wednesday night, April 22.

Headlining the winners was sophomore Ethan Kuziela (Chicago, Ill.-Marist), who was named the team's Most Valuable Player. Kuziela became the program's first American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American, earning first team honors, as well as the first AVCA All-Region and First Team All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin honoree. Kuziela established new season records for the Green and White with 330 kills, 635 assists, an average of 6.23 assists per set, and tied with fellow sophomore Ben Zima (Glen Ellyn, Ill.-Glenbard South) for the most sets and matches played in the season, as each appeared in 102 and 27, respectively. Kuziela broke numerous match records, was a five-time CCIW Setter of the Week, once named CCIW Hitter of the Week, and became the second Titan to be named the AVCA National Player of the Week over a decorated sophomore campaign.

Sophomore Wilson Spaulding (Tucson, Ariz.-Catalina Foothills) was the recipient of the team's Most Improved award. After only appearing in three matches his freshman year, Spaulding earned a spot in the starting lineup. He totaled 69 kills on a .369 attack percentage, 39 blocks, 22 digs, eight aces, and five assists for a total of 98.5 points.

Leading the team with 70 blocks, sophomore Gavin Rohlwing (Tower Lake, Ill.-Barrington) earned his second straight "Brick Wall" award. Sophomore Charlie Bialek (Bolingbrook, Ill.-Bolingbrook) garnered the team's Titan Strength honor for the second year in a row, continuing his dedication to the weight room.

Head coach Brandon Mueller awarded letters to 13 student-athletes, 12 of which are set to return for the 2027 campaign.

First Year
Ethan Keutzer
Charlie Bialek
Wilson Spaulding
Dylan Quinn
Ryan Jilly
Aydin Provost

Second Year
Patrick Dasbach
Gavin Rohlwing
Ethan Kuziela
Ben Zima

Third Year
Brenden Reutter
Bryce Williams

Fourth Year
Jace Milka

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