JACKSON, BAXLEY & WHITERMORE NAMED TO GNAC MEN’S VOLLEYBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College senior outside hitter Ashanti Jackson (Sacramento, Calif.), senior setter Sean Baxley (Saint James, N.Y.) and senior outside hitter Zach Whitermore (Whitehall, Pa.) have been named to the 2015 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Volleyball All-Conference team as announced by the conference office earlier today. Jackson was tabbed to the GNAC First Team, Baxley to the GNAC Second Team and Whitermore to the GNAC Third Team as well as the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Jackson makes his fourth consecutive appearance on the All-Conference squad, appearing on the GNAC First Team for the second time in his career along with two Second Team honors. The senior ended the campaign with 214 kills, averaging 3.19 kills per set to rank sixth overall in the GNAC and first among the Saints. Jackson posted double-digit kill totals in 11 matches on the year including a season-high of 22 kills in a 3-2 victory over No. 14 Wentworth on March 24. The outside hitter ended his career on a high note, recording his 1,000^th career kill in the GNAC Semifinals against Rivier University to become just the fifth player in program history to join the illustrious Grant Club.

Over his career, Jackson finished with 1,006 kills to rank fifth all-time among the career leaders, ranking fourth all-time in career points with 1,169. He played in 104 matches to rank seventh all-time, appearing in 338 sets which ranks eighth. Jackson totaled 485 digs to rank eighth all-time while his 153 combined blocks is currently good for 10^th all-time.

Baxley makes his first career appearance on the GNAC All-Conference squad, earning Second Team honors after a memorable senior campaign that saw him ranked among the national leaders in assists. The senior finished the year with 834 helpers, averaging 10.05 assists per set to rank second in the GNAC and 10^th among NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball setters. Baxley dished out 20+ assists in all 23 matches on the year including 40+ on nine occasions and 50+ twice. On March 26, Baxley recorded a career-high 59 assists against Johnson & Wales and later that week dished out 52 helpers against Rivier University on March 28.

Over his career, Baxley totaled 1,872 assists over 92 matches to rank fourth all-time in program history. He played in a total of 248 sets, averaging 7.55 assist per set over his tenure with the Saints. Baxley served as the squad's main setter as a junior and senior and finished up with 255 digs, 92 kills, 73 total blocks and 56 aces.

Whitermore also makes his fourth consecutive appearance on the All-Conference team, earning Third Team honors for the second straight year following a pair of Second Team nods as a freshman and sophomore. The outside hitter appeared in just 13 matches on the year due to academic conflicts as well as a season-ending finger injury on his hitting hand, but that didn't stop the senior from making the most of it, averaging 2.21 kills per set to go along with 1.45 digs per set. The outside hitter put up a season-high 15 kills against eventual GNAC Champions, Lasell, on February 12 and enjoyed a strong all-around outing with 13 digs and nine kills in a huge 3-2 victory over No. 14 Wentworth on March 24.

Over four years, Whitermore amassed 757 kills to rank seventh all-time in EC annals. He appeared in 93 total matches and 306 sets and finished his career with 92 aces to rank seventh among program leaders. Whitermore tallied 413 career digs while recording 94 total blocks with Emmanuel.

The Saints wrapped up the 2015 campaign with an overall record of 11-12, finishing regular-season GNAC play with an 8-6 record to secure the No. 4 seed in the GNAC tournament. After defeating No. 5 Johnson & Wales University in the GNAC Quarterfinals, 3-0, the Saints fell to No. 1 Rivier University in the GNAC Semifinals. 

Click here to view the 2015 GNAC Men's Volleyball All-Conference Team