WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Thomas Jefferson University's Jess Molen made program history on Thursday as she was named the D2CCA East Region Volleyball Player of the Year. She also earned All-Region First Team honors for the second straight year while teammate Sam Mann was a repeat selection on the All-Region Second Team.
 
Molen is the first Ram to be chosen the East Region Player of the Year in volleyball. She leads the region and ranks 15^th nationally with 449 kills. Molen also ranks second in the region in kills per set (4.05) and points per set (4.77). She ranks in the top 20 nationally in four categories. Molen was chosen the 2022 CACC Player of the Year and earned All-CACC First Team honors. She was the CACC Tournament MVP for the second year in a row as she led Jefferson to its second straight CACC title and NCAA Tournament berth.
 
Mann ranks third in the region in total blocks (118.0), fifth in blocks per set (1.10), and 14^th in hitting percentage (.306). She was a member of the All-CACC Second Team and garnered CACC All-Tournament Team accolades.
 
The Rams (24-6) are the fourth seed in the NCAA East Regional.

Athletic Communications staff from NCAA Division II East Region schools and conferences selected the two All-Region teams. The process concludes with All-American selections announced at the NCAA Division II Final Eight Championship.
 
2022 Division II Conference Commissioner's Association NCAA Division II Volleyball All-East Region Team
First Team
Pos.             Name                                      School                     
OH               Andrea Serra &                       American International
OH               Maggie Burns                          Daemen
OH               Jess Molen *                           Thomas Jefferson
MH/B          Kacey Affrunti                         Wilmington
MH/B          Marissa Mullins                      Bridgeport
L/DS            Jamie Yonker *                       Adelphi
S                  Naomi Eckert-Rivera ^            American International
 
Second Team
Pos.             Name                                      School                     
OH               Paolo Soto Burgos                  American International
OH               Nylene Mateo                         Georgian Court
OH               Macy Brown                            New Haven
MH/B          Vanessa Kuliga                        Daemen
MH/B          Sam Mann ^                            Thomas Jefferson
L/DS            Elly Collins                               Wilmington
S                  Mia Caporellie                         Chestnut Hill
 
2022 East Region Player of the Year: Jess Molen, Thomas Jefferson*
 
& 2019 & 2021 D2CCA East Region First Team Selection
* 2021 D2CCA East Region First Team Selection
^ 2021 D2CCA East Region Second Team Selection