The beginning of the men's volleyball season is just days away, and the River States Conference is excited to preview the 2026 seasons for our member schools! Each RSC school talked with players and coaches from their teams, with those interviews linked below as part of Media Day!
Additionally, each school has spotlighted players expected to be major contributors during the 2026 campaign, and are also listed below as our 2026 Players to Watch!
BRESCIA
Media Day
Players to Watch
Finn Berger
Junior | Stolberg, Germany | Setter
Finn will be entering his third year with the program and will bring the stability needed at the setter position. The past two seasons he has had limited time setting, but Brescia coaches believe this season he will be the Bearcats' primary setter.
Joaquin Palacios
Sophomore | Rosario, Argentina | Middle Blocker
Brescia coaches are looking for Joaquin to be an anchor in the middle this year. He led the team in blocks last season as a freshman, and coaches believe his hitting will be even stronger than his .290 hitting percentage last season.
CAMPBELLSVILLE
Players to Watch
Ayoube Hamadache
Sophomore | Boumerdes, Argentina | Outside Hitter
Hamadache was one of the top freshmen in the River States Conference last season, earning First Team All-Conference honors. He averaged more than three kills per set with a .242 attack percentage, and added another 40 blocks at the net for the RSC tournament runners-up.
Alonzo Vega
Junior | Toa Alta, Puerto Rico | Setter
The high-powered Campbellsville attack ran through Vega during the 2025 season, as the Puerto Rico native racked up over 1,000 assists on the season, averaging more than ten per set. The then-sophomore was one of two Campbellsville players to be named First Team All-River States Conference.
CUMBERLAND
Players to Watch
Joao Infante
Senior | Lisbon, Portugal | Outside Hitter
Joao Infante earned River States Conference Attacker of the Year honors after delivering one of the most dominant offensive seasons in the league. He totaled 467 kills at a 4.10 kills-per-set clip on a .296 hitting percentage, while adding 20 service aces and 29 blocks to finish with 541 total points. Infante was a constant offensive threat and the centerpiece of Cumberland’s attack all season long.
Austin Kuehler
Freshman | Surprise, Arizona | Setter
Austin Kuehler is a 6-7 freshman setter looking to take the Phoenix volleyball program to the next level. He is the younger brother of Kaden Kuehler who was a former player last year. Austin's size and volleyball IQ could prove to be a major asset for the Phoenix entering the 2026 season.
GEORGETOWN
Media Day
Players to Watch
Adam Szewinski
Junior | Czestochowa, Poland | Middle Blocker
Szewinski is Georgetown's lone returning First Team All-River States Conference selection from the 2025 conference championship team. As a sophomore, the Poland native was a force at the net, averaging more than two kills and one block per set.
Kristjan Unt
Sophomore | Tartu, Estonia | Outside Hitter
Unt was a Second Team All-River States Conference selection in 2025. The Estonia native had a standout freshman season for the Rigers, logging just shy of three kills per set, finishing the season with 272 kills. He also added 157 digs and 28 blocks on the defensive side of the net.
IU EAST
Media Day
Players to Watch
Arthur Barreto
Senior | Sao Paolo, Brazil | Setter/Outside Hitter
Barreto was the centerpiece of the Red Wolves' roster last season, earning Third Team All-River States Conference honors. He finished the season with 288 kills, averaging 3.65 finishes per set. He was also IU East's leader in digs (109) and service aces (21).
Wyatt King
Sophomore | Indianapolis, Indiana | Opposite Hitter
Wyatt King had a productive freshman season in Richmond, racking up 177 kills in his first season of college volleyball. The Indianapolis native also added 36 blocks for the Red Wolves, ranking second on the roster.
MIDWAY
Media Day
Players to Watch
Lincoln Anderson
Sophomore | Louisville, Kentucky | Libero
Anderson played a critical role on the back row during Midway's first River States Conference season. The Louisville native had more than 100 more digs than any of his teammates, finishing the season with 193 digs.
Jordan Daily
Sophomore | Zion, Illinois | Setter
Daily was Midway's lead setter during the 2025 season. As a freshman, Daily led the Eagles with 328 assists, and finished second on the roster with 21 total blocks.
OAKLAND CITY
Players to Watch
Gastón Barrionuevo
Junior | Cordoba, Argentina | Outside Hitter
Barrionuevo was a Third Team All-River States Conference selection last season, and also earned Second Team All-American honors from the NCCAA. As a sophomore, the outside hitter led the Mighty Oaks with 193 kills, and finished at the net to the tune of a .282 attack percentage.
Tinevimbo Goto
Sophomore | Harare, Zimbabwe | Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter
A Third Team All-River States Conference pick in 2025, Goto was one of the Mighty Oaks' top players at the net. The 6-8 sophomore finished second on the Oakland City roster in both kills (169) and blocks (58).
RIO GRANDE
Media Day
Players to Watch
Mitch Bartecki
Senior | Valparaiso, Indiana | Setter
During his junior season, Bartecki was one of Rio Grande's main setters. The junior averaged 8.17 assists per set, finishing the season with more than 600 assists. Defensively, he added 25 blocks and 69 digs for the RedStorm.
Daniel Rivas
Sophomore | Valle Del Cauca, Colombia | Outside Hitter
Rivas is the top returning attacker for the RedStorm, who finished fourth in the River States Conference a year ago. As a freshman, the Colombian outside hitter racked up 250 kills, 133 digs, and 32 total blocks.
ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS
Media Day
Players to Watch
Yammiel Martinez
Senior | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Middle Hitter
A Second Team All-RSC selection, Martinez anchors the middle with elite efficiency and physicality, hitting .445 while leading the team with 73 total blocks last season. His two-way impact makes him a consistent presence at the net on both sides of the ball.
Joseph Szadorski
Senior | Carol Stream, Illinois | Outside Hitter/Right Side
A Third Team All-RSC selection, Szadorski led SMWC in kills (216) and points (280.0) while adding 26 service aces last season. His versatility and offensive firepower make him a centerpiece of the lineup.