Newbury’s Talamantes Tabbed NECC Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Newbury College men's volleyball standout Matt Talamantes was named the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year, it was announced by Commissioner Del Malloy. Talamantes is a psychology major with a minor in communications set to graduate this Spring.

Voting for both Senior Student-Athlete of the Year awards was conducted among the athletic directors at the nine member institutions.

"There is no doubt Matt Tala mantes is one of the best volleyball players to come through Newbury-and quite possibly one of the best athletes," said Newbury College  Director of Athletics Jessica Gould. "His athletic abilities on the volleyball court have earned him countless awards,  but it is his commitment and tireless work in the classroom that sets Matt apart from his peers."

A native of Los Angeles, Calif., Talamantes had a stellar senior season for the Nighthawks, ranking among the top players in the country as the first Newbury player to reach 5,000 career assists which was 3rd in NCAA DIII all-time leaders (5,291).  His senior campaign he tallied 209 kills, a .298 attack percentage, 1132 assists, 8.51 assist per game, 47 aces, 217 digs and 52 blocks.

Additionally, Talamantes finished his career averaging 10.97 assists per game, 482 games played, 617 kills, a .320 attack percentage, 150 service aces, 856 digs, 59 block solos, 181 block assists and 240 total blocks. He helped the Nighthawks to their second straight NECC Volleyball title and their third ECAC title winning it in 2007, 2008 and 2011.

"Matt's passion and dedication to the Newbury Volleyball program are second to none," stated Gould.  "He has an uncanny ability to make everyone on the court better and leaves a strong legacy that will be hard to match."

His stellar efforts earned him NECC Men's Volleyball Player of the Year honors and the 2011 NECC Tournament MVP.  Talamantes was tabbed the Nighthawks Athlete of the Year. He was named 2011 All-NECC First Team as well as being named 2011 NECC All-Academic. He also tallied an impressive haul of regional accolades, including NECVA Second-Team All New England and NECVA All-Academic.

"Matt Talamantes is what Division III athletics is all about as he was a student first, graduating with a GPA over 3.5," stated Newbury Head Volleyball Coach Christopher Taylor.  "He was one of the most-fierce competitors that I have had the privilege to coach. Matt leaves Newbury and the NECC as the best setter in their brief history and his records will be hard to surpass."  

Along with his four year career in volleyball, he also played three seasons of men's tennis. Because tennis started before volleyball finished Talamantes always joined the team late. He finished with a 9-7 overall singles record including a stellar 2009 record going 6-1 overall and 5-0 in conference play at the #4 singles spot. In his three years of tennis, he made it to the NECC post season tournament as the #3 seed in 2009 in the number four singles flight and #2 seed in the five singles flight in 2008.

"Matt is an outstanding student-athlete who represented both Newbury College and the NECC with distinction, said Commissioner Malloy. " He had an outstanding career at Newbury College both on the courts and in the classroom. All of us in the NECC are extremely proud of Matt."

Off the court, he was a resident assistant and helped with Newbury's involvement in the "Jimmy Fund" Walk as a volunteer.

Talamantes was a four year Newbury Dean's List honoree along with a two-time NECC All-Academic member. His impressive athletic honors resume included 2009-10, 2008-09 All-NECC first team; 2007-08, 2009-10 All-NECVA New England first team, 2008-09 All-NECVA New England second team, 2008 NECVA All-Tournament Team, 2008 All-Tournament Team for Gothic Knight Tournament.

In 2008, Talamantes was second in the NCAA for assists with 1,771 for his freshman campaign.

"You cannot replace a player like Matt Talamantes. He was an extraordinary talent that succeeded both on and off the court.  Being named the 2011 NECC Student-Athlete of the Year caps off one of the most successful careers a student- athlete could achieve," said Taylor.