2026 ACAC Men's Volleyball Players of the Year
Edmonton, AB (February 25, 2026) –
NORTH MEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, JOSH WATSON:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Josh Watson of the NAIT Ooks has been selected as the 2026 ACAC North Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year.
Watson delivered an outstanding regular season performance for the Ooks, emerging as one of the most consistent and dynamic outside hitters in the conference. The 6’4” fourth-year outside from Christchurch, New Zealand, appeared in 12 matches, competing in 43 sets and recording an impressive 3.93 kills per set. He finished the regular season averaging 4.5 points per set, while also contributing defensively with 64 digs and 18 blocks.
A reliable offensive weapon and steady presence on the court, Watson consistently reached double-digit scoring performances throughout the season and played a pivotal role in the Ooks’ success in the ACAC North Division.
“Josh Watson battled back from a pre-season injury to have his best season as an NAIT OOK,” said head coach Phil Dixon. “Josh tallied 200 points in his 12 matches played – 173 kills, 9 aces and 18 blocks – consistently scored double digits every match. His skill is coupled with a high drive for excellence, never allowing the energy or focus to drop in our gym when we are competing. Congratulations on being awarded the ACAC North Player of the Year, Josh!”
Watson is currently enrolled in the Business Administration program at NAIT. In his fourth season with the Ooks, he has established himself as a leader on and off the court, combining high-level performance with a competitive mindset that sets the standard for his teammates.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2026 ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship hosted by Red Deer Polytechnic in Red Deer, Alberta.
SOUTH MEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, COLBY NEMETH:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Colby Nemeth has been named the 2026 ACAC South Men's Volleyball Player of the Year.
Colby Nemeth, of the Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings Volleyball team, has received a special honour for his impact within his team and sport. Nemeth, a fifth-year power hitter from Red Deer, has been named the 2025-26 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men’s Volleyball South Player of the Year.
This season, Nemeth played a key role in helping the Kings earn a 16-3 record during the regular season.
“Colby is a game changer in all areas of the game and his ability to raise his level when the team needs him the most is very impressive.” says Aaron Schulha, Kings Volleyball Head Coach.
Once again, Nemeth was dominant on the court. In 19 matches, Nemeth, a Bachelor of Commerce student, led ACAC Men’s Volleyball with an average of 5.0 points per set, 4.23 kills per set, and ranked second in the league with a total of 216 kills. Nemeth also averaged 0.47 service aces per set, placing him third overall in ACAC Men’s Volleyball.
Nemeth received this prestigious award at the ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship Banquet and Awards held on February 25 at Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South. Nemeth and the RDP Kings will host the ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championship from February 26-28 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre, located on RDP’s main campus.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Emily Peterson, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
emilyp@acac.ab.ca