SURPRISE, Ariz. - On Monday the AVCA announced the 2023 NAIA Men's Volleyball All-America teams and two Spirit members were chosen. Junior Emery Outin and Senior Tatum Gray were honored as members of the team by the Coaches Association while graduate student Tyler Gardenhire picked up an Honorable Mention.

Emery Outin, Outside Hitter, Jr., First Team All-America
Stats:  229 Kills, 3.75 K/S, 4.26 P/S, 1.43 D/S
For the second time in his career, Outin has been named to the AVCA NAIA All-America team, having earned a place on the second team in 2021. This year Outin has been honored as a part of the 12 man All-America First Team. Leading the team in both points and kills, and finishing in the top three in total assist (492), service aces (12), total digs (87) and total blocks (31), the junior has been a force for the Spirit. His performance put him fifth in the conference in kills and points, topping all other OUAZ members. The France native reached double digit kills on 12 occasions and 14 double digit point performances including a career high of 25 kills early in the season. Outin lead the Spirit to just their second NAIA Tournament in program history. 

Tatum Gray, Libero, Sr., Second Team All-America
Stats: .625 PCT, 149 Digs, 2.29 D/S, 32 Assists, 8 SA
Gray is being honored by the ACVA for the first time in his college career, being named to the Second Team All-America. In his Senior season, Gray helped the Spirit to a 13-8 overall record in one of the most competitive conference's in the NAIA. Throughout the season, Gray accumulated the highest attacking percentage (.625) on the team as well as the most digs (149) and digs per set (2.29). On the conference level, the senior finished fourth overall in total digs. He was a leader on the team, playing the second most sets out of any spirit member (65) and helped lead the team to their second ever NAIA Tournament bid. 

Tyler Gardenhire, Setter, GS., Honorable Mention
Stats: 492 Assists, 88 Kills, 24 SA, 85 Digs, 27 Blocks
Tyler Gardenhire was an All-American Honorable Mention, for the first All-American honor of his career. His 492 assists leads the team by 240, putting him second in the GSAC. Gardenhire also posts a top-three spot in the Conference in service aces (24) and top-six spot in hitting percentage (.348). On the Spirit, the graduate student ranks fourth in blocks (27), third in digs (85), fifth in kills (88), and played the fourth most games on the team (63).