BOSTON – The America East Conference announced its nominees for the 2025-26 America East Man and Woman of the Year awards, with the University at Albany represented by graduate student volleyball standout Shynelle Woroniuk and senior men's lacrosse defender Max Neeson.
 
The prestigious honor recognizes one senior or graduate student male and female student-athlete from each member institution who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service, and leadership. The 18 nominees, comprising nine men and nine women, represent all nine conference institutions and seven different sports. Finalists for each award will be announced on May 26, with the winners revealed on June 2 at the conference's annual awards dinner.
 
Woroniuk capped an exceptional career with the Great Danes as one of the top players in program history. A graduate outside hitter, she earned First Team All-America East honors following a dominant 2025 season, leading UAlbany with 383 kills while adding 218 digs, 26 service aces, and 37 total blocks. A reliable six-rotation player, she posted 23 matches with double-digit kills and recorded nine double-doubles during her final campaign.
 
Off the court, Woroniuk excelled academically while pursuing her MBA in marketing, maintaining a 3.87 GPA and earning America East All-Academic honors. She finished her collegiate career with 1,075 kills (3.25/set), 585 digs (1.77/set), 101.0 blocks, and 69 service aces.
 
Neeson closes his UAlbany career as one of the most decorated defenders in recent program history. The senior long-stick defender was named America East Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season in 2026 and earned First Team All-Conference honors. He anchored a Great Dane defense that ranked fourth in the nation in clearing percentage (0.913), led the league in caused turnovers per game (9.35), and finished third in the conference in scoring defense (10.47).
 
A key piece in UAlbany's 2026 America East championship run, Neeson led the team with 36 caused turnovers and added 35 ground balls while also contributing offensively with four goals during his senior season. He finished his career with a total of 144 ground balls, 91 caused turnovers, and 10 goals. In the classroom, Neeson was named to the America East All-Academic Team and graduated with a 3.48 GPA as a Human Development major.
 
The America East began honoring a Woman of the Year in 2006 and introduced the Man of the Year award in 2015, recognizing student-athletes who embody the conference's commitment to excellence in competition, academics, and community impact.
 
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