University of California, Merced – Niederberger Named Cal Pac Defensive Player of the Week

MERCED, Calif. – Freshman middle blocker Max Niederberger of the University of California, Merced men’s volleyball team was named the California Pacific Conference Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league office on Monday evening.

Of the Cal Pac’s six Player of the Week selections this men’s volleyball season, Niederberger is the first freshman. Also of note, UC Merced has earned 21 weekly honors in the 2022-23 athletics year and Niederberger is the lone freshman to garner the honor.

Niederberger combined for eleven blocks and ten kills in a pair of wins over Central Christian College and Viterbo University on Saturday at the UJ Invitational.

The San Diego, Calif., native had four kills without an error, four blocks, and a service ace in the sweep of Central Christian.

Niederberger followed with a 2023 UC Merced high seven blocks against Viterbo. He added a career-high six kills to help the Bobcats put together their first winning streak of the season.

The previous day, Niederberger had two blocks, one solo, against Dordt University.

Niederberger joins teammate Jozef Lingenfelter as a weekly award winner in the early season.

Looking ahead, UC Merced will host Simpson University for the Cal Pac opener on Friday, February 17 at 5:00pm.