USC senior Tony Ciarelli, who has helped lead the USC men’s volleyball team to a No. 1 ranking, was selected Mountain Pacific Sports Federation player of the year.
Ciarelli, a 6-foot 6-inch outside hitter from Huntington Beach, leads the nation in aces at 0.60 a game. He is fourth in kills (.403).
Ciarelli is the second consecutive Trojan to win the conference player of the year award. Murphy Troy won in 2011. USC is the first school to produce consecutive winners since Pepperdine’s George Roumain won in 1998 and 1999.
USC setter Micah Christenson was selected MPSF freshman of the year.
Ciarelli and Christenson have helped the Trojans win 17 consecutive matches. Top-seeded USC (22-4 overall) plays Cal State Northridge (12-17) in the MPSF quarterfinals on Saturday at the Galen Center. USC will host the semifinals April 26 and the April 28 final if it defeats Northridge.
The Galen Center also is the site for the NCAA men's volleyball championship May 3 and 5.
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