MILWAUKEE, Wis. (naccsports.org) --- Dominican University men's volleyball player Ethan Klosak has been named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Man of the Year for the 2019-20 academic year, as chosen by the league's Senior Woman Administrators Standing Committee (SWASC).
The Frankfort, Illinois, native was a four-year member of the Dominican men's volleyball team, leading the Stars to conference tournament titles in 2017 (MCVL) and 2018 (NACC) and two trips to the NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Championship (2017-quarterfinals, 2018-semifinals). Dominican had also accumulated a 13-2 record overall and a 4-0 mark in NACC play in 2020 when the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A three-time first-team all-NACC selection (2018, 2019, 2020), Klosak was a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) NCAA Division III All-American, earning second-team honors as a junior (2019) and honorable mention as a sophomore (2018). He was also an AVCA All-West Region selection as a senior (2020).
"Being a leader in all facets means trying to keep a genuine and positive atmosphere," said Klosak. "Team morale and community morale can only ever be at its highest when all the eyes are on good leaders during the darker times.
"It has meant the world to me that I could wear the Dominican star and shield as a representative for my school and conference for my four years because from the second I came on campus, I felt as if I was being groomed to be a leader in life. The team, classmates, and the Dominican community as a whole fed off my attitude and positivity and I fed off it. Leaders must have a symbiotic relationship and it took years of observing and acting as a leader, even if not holding the title of captain, to find who I am and thrive in my various roles."
An outside hitter, Klosak graduated atop Dominican's career chart in service aces with 84, while ranking second all-time in kills with 849. He also accumulated 570 digs, 113 blocks (47 solo) and 69 assists during his career, while posting a .277 attack percentage. Additionally, Klosak is the NACC's career leader in kills with 706.
"Ethan had such a profound impact on the men's volleyball program and Dominican University," remarked Dominican head coach Cameron Andrew. "His dedication to excellence on the court, in the classroom, and his ability to have a positive impact on those in his community is truly special. If you needed a smile, Ethan was there with a joke. If you needed help in a class, Ethan was there as a tutor. When there were volunteer opportunities, Ethan was there with a helping hand. When we needed a point, we knew Ethan was there for us to lean on.
"I may have only been able to coach Ethan for one season, but he welcomed me into the Dominican men's volleyball family and I'm grateful for our time working together. I know Ethan is going to go on to do great things."
Klosak graduated in May with a degree in finance after accumulating a 3.78 grade-point average. He was a four-time NACC Scholar-Athlete and was named to the Dean's List six times.
The two-year captain has volunteered with the Salvation Army, LemonAid, Feed My Starving Children, and Gigi's Playhouse, while also tutoring elementary school children through Hephzibah Children's Association and participating in a letter-writing campaign to patients at a local nursing home.
A member of Dominican's Student-Athlete Advisory Council, Klosak also twice participated in an emerging leader retreat. He was a participant as a freshman, then returned as a group leader and facilitator as a sophomore.
Each of the NACC's 12 co-ed members may nominate one male student-athlete for the annual award. The SWASC uses a combination of the following criteria in the selection of the award: athletic excellence, academic achievement, service and leadership, and a personal statement.
