The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second consecutive year in a row, Bahamian rising star Ras Jesse Delancy has been named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year.

The 6-foot, 6.5-inch sophomore outside hitter for the Tigers men’s volleyball team, featuring four other Bahamians at Benedict College, also claimed the SIAC All-Conference First Team award and was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year. “This one wasn’t a surprise,” said the 23-year-old Delancy.

“Not to sound cocky, but as soon as I got the first one last year, the plan was to put in more work than I did last year and to improve on my performance. So getting it again wasn’t a surprise in my opinion.”

Delancy, who had a .659 hitting percentage, kills per set with an average of 8.14 and points per set with an average of 9.29, said he had no doubt that he would emerge as the top player in the league. “I think I played well,” said Delancy, whose statistics not only led the division II SIAC, but the entire NCAA Division one programme as well. “I think I did exceptionally well in those departments.”

With his performance, Delancy helped the Tigers to finish the season with an 11-7 win-loss record for third place in the SIAC.

In the process, Benedict College improved on their performance from last year as well.

“It started off rough for us because we had a new setter and we were trying to figure out how we can incorporate him in our line-up,” Delancy said. “We had to figure it out quickly. It was a rapid adjustment to figure out what worked best for us.”

The Tigers also comprised of the Bahamian connection with Donovan Wilmott, Clint Forbes, Teran Walkin and Zion Beckford joining Delancy in their line-up.

“Clint was the pre-season libero of the year, but didn’t win the award or make the All-Conference second team, despite his great numbers and amazing play,” said Delancy, hinting that he felt his team-mate was overlooked by the selection committee.

“Donovan was more focused on graduating, but even with that, he still had a good season. Teran won Benedict’s most improved award, which was well-deserved. Zion also played a good season.”

As for his own improvement in such a short space of time playing the sport, Delancy said he expected a little more competition. Nonetheless, he said the competition provided enabled him to perform as well as he did.

“Everyone in the conference was really talented, so that made it tough in that aspect,” Delancy said.

Delancy has now entered the transfer portal and within the next month or two, he should know exactly where he will be playing next year, although he has received a few offers, but prefers to keep them under wraps until the deal is done.

As he waits, Delancy said he hopes to continue to work on his game. “There’s always room for improvement to get better,” he stated.

“But I seriously want to work on my service game and jump serve. I am seeking bigger and better. But nothing is concrete yet. “I just want to play on a better team with a new coach in a better conference. I think I could perform at the next level. Hopefully, I can get into a better environment so that I can get that opportunity to further improve my skills.”

In the meantime, once he has completed his final exams for this semester, the sports management major will be returning home to train with the men’s national team as they prepare for the Caribbean Volleyball Championships and to display his skills before his family and friends at the Bahamas Games.

“My goal is to be the best I could be,” Delancy said. “In me being the best I can be, it will make me to be the best in the world.”