PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Fresh of a season full of accolades and milestones, the nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College men's volleyball team received more acclaim as the United Volleyball Conference announced its All-Academic Teams and Individuals following the 2020 season.

Among the 43 student-athletes that were applauded for the academic abilities, were Avery Terroso, Max Thurston, Paul Hackford and Martin Hackford.  To be recognized, an individual must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 (on a 4.00 scale), a 4.10 (on a 5.00 scale) or an 82 (on a 100 point scale) during the spring semester. In addition, the student-athlete must be at least a sophomore academically, display positive conduct on and off campus and be enrolled full-time at the member institution.

An accounting major, Terroso finished the season with 16 kills over 13 matches played.  The junior outside hitter notched 25 digs defensively and added eight aces at the service line for head coach Stephen England.

Thurston earned recognition as a finance major.  The Baldwinsville native finished his junior season with two kills and two digs overall.

Paul Hackford, who was named to the All-UVC Second Team and was an All-Conference honoree in the Empire 8, led the league in assists with 589 while averaging 9.82 per set. The setter, who is majoring in biology, produced a season-high 55 assists in the win over No. 1 ranked New York University on February 29.  Hackford eclipsed a milestone during the course of the year as he surpassed 2,000 career assists.  

A nursing major, Martin Hackford took a major leap forward in 2020 with ranking in the top ten of the E8 for kills (147), hitting percentage (.325), digs (103) and service aces (37). The Orchard Park native led the league in aces and set a single match program record with eight aces in a three-set win against Elmira on March 11. The outside hitter was named the final Conference Player of the Week of the season for the performance.

Additionally, Fisher was one of five teams recognized by the UVC for its overall team GPA as the Cardinals finished the season with a 3.13 average.

The Cardinals finished their abbreviated season with a 15-4 overall record that included a 3-1 mark in conference play.  Fisher, which concluded the year ranked ninth in the final American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III National Poll, authored numerous highlight moments including toppling then-No. 1 NYU on the road.  In all, two were named All-Conference by the UVC including Josh Bigford who was named the conference's Co-Player of the Year.  Bigford, along with junior libero David Cerqua, would go on to be named the first All-Americans in program history.

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