Trio Collect All-Heart Laurels
April 13th, 2026
Oskaloosa–Three members of the Statesmen men’s volleyball team were recognized for extraordinary campaigns as the 2026 all-Heart of America Athletic Conference teams were announced Friday.
Ben Cemeno-Castillo (Sr., Joliet, Ill., Business Management) was one of 11 individuals named to the first team, while Britten Beallis (Sr., Naperville, Ill., Sports Management) and Emilio Spanner (Jr., Sint Eustatius, Sports Management) each earned second-team laurels. There were 10 players picked for the second team, while 10 more garnered third-team honors.
The award is the third for Beallis (second time on second team), while Cemeno-Castillo’s accolade is his second (first time on the first team). Spanner is a first-time honoree.
The trio have helped William Penn to a current record of 18-7, including a 14-5 mark in the Heart. WPU is awaiting word if it qualified for the NAIA National Championship.
Cemeno-Castillo, who missed the final five matches of the year due to a season-ending injury, still recorded 246 kills (3.78 per set) on a .320 attack percentage. The senior also notched 122 digs, 24 blocks, and eight assists.
The outside hitter concluded the campaign with 14 double-digit kill performances, including a season-best 24 versus Morningside on February 13. Cemeno-Castillo’s 17 digs against Mount Mercy on March 10 were also a campaign high.
Beallis’ season has thus far featured 159 kills (1.77 per set) on a .388 hitting clip. The senior has produced 113 blocks (19 solos, 94 assists, 1.26 per set), while also tallying 36 digs, 11 assists, and three aces.
The middle hitter has reached double figures in kills on four occasions with a high of 13 twice. He currently has 12 outings with at least five blocks, led by a season-best nine versus Olivet Nazarene on February 6.
Spanner, primarily a right-side hitter, currently has managed 260 kills (3.25 per set) at a .242 attack rate. The junior’s stat line also includes 136 digs (1.70 per set) with 68 blocks, seven aces, and six assists.
He produced 14 double-figure kill showings with a season-high 23 against UHSP on March 21.
