Albany, NY—Russell Sage College's department of athletics announced their award winners for the 2021-2022 academic year at the annual awards banquet.  In addition to several honors bestowed for athletic and academic excellence, Sage also selected the Gator of the Year Award for the department's 21 varsity sports for the 2021-2022 year.

RSC's senior captain Deshawn Fleary (Newark, NJ/Immaculate Conception Montclair) was honored as the Gator of the Year in men's volleyball.

Head Men's Volleyball Coach remarked about Fleary, "Deshawn was an extremely valuable part of our team this year." He added, "He was a chameleon this year playing any position we needed filled. He also stepped up as an upperclassman and was a leader to the team both on and off the court."

A team captain in 2022, Fleary had a key role in the team earning a spot in the NECC Men's Volleyball Tournament as the senior opposite racked up a double-double to lead the team to the win over Northern Vermont and punch the Gators' post-season ticket. He tallied a .406 attack percentage with a team and personal-best 16 kills. He added 10 digs with an ace and led the team with his 17.0 points in the match. On the year, he racked up a career best 120 kills, 1.28 per-set with 23 assists and 26 aces on the year with 147 digs.