Albert Urena is First Team All-American in Men’s Volleyball
Albert Urena just earned his place in PCCC Athletics history. A first-year, outside hitter on the Men’s Volleyball team, Albert was named First Team All-American this spring.
“This is really big,” said Linda Hicks, head coach of Men’s Volleyball. “No Men’s Volleyball athlete at PCCC has ever received this recognition before.”
Albert was also named First Team All-Region and First Team GSAC (Garden State Athletic Conference). Plus, earlier this spring, he received Region 19 MVP accolades.
“I was very proud of myself,” said Albert whose strong performance this season includes: 250 Kills (Ranks 2nd in the nation), 368 Kills Per Set (Ranks 2nd in the nation), 9.37 Total Attacks Per Set (Ranks 1st in the nation), 4.3 Points Per Set (Ranks 2nd in the nation).
“Albert is a phenomenal young man with a bright future ahead of him,” said PCCC Athletics Director Tiago Dos Santos. “What he was able to do in his first year of College Volleyball was extraordinary. I expect Albert to continue his excellence on the court and in the classroom and I am excited to see it.”
Albert Urena with Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Linda Hicks.
It was not until his senior year of high school that Albert began to play volleyball. He attended academic classes at the Panther Academy, but played volleyball at Eastside High School, where he was recruited by Coach Hicks.
Albert had been playing football for a year, before he switched to volleyball. “I fell I love with volleyball and with the people around me who were into it.” Albert liked the fast pace and unpredictable nature of the game. “Volleyball gave me a feeling of excitement that I wanted to chase after. I didn’t get that feeling from football.”
Coach Hicks described Albert as athletically talented, hardworking, and respectful of his coaches and teammates. “He listens and absorbs feedback. He’s coachable.”
A Paterson resident, originally from the Dominican Republic (DR), Albert came to the US at age 7 with his family. It was in the DR, that he became an avid swimmer, kicking off a passion for athletics that continued over the years.
Still a swimmer, he also enjoys snowboarding and recently started playing basketball “for personal enjoyment,” but also to support his training. “I want to build strength in my knees and shoulders,” Albert explained, describing a regimen that includes plyometrics, high-intensity exercises that train muscles to produce force quickly.
Albert just completed his first year at PCCC and is majoring in electrical and computer engineering. “My PCCC experience has been positive, academically and athletically,” he said. “The professors are good, I made some close friends, and everybody here is very welcoming.”
Athletically, Albert says he has improved as a player at PCCC. “I’m grateful for the coaching here. That really made a difference.”
One lesson he considers especially valuable: “Working together as a team and a family. Having that chemistry on a team matters in how we play.”
After he graduates from PCCC next year, Albert plans to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program at a college with both a respected program in engineering and a strong volleyball team. NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology), Fairleigh-Dickinson University, and Long Island University are among the possibilities.
But his first dream is “to go pro,” and Coach Hicks has confidence that can happen. “Albert is a quiet leader on the court. He works hard, always asks how he can improve, and is the type of player who can lead a team to many victories. He is a pleasure to work with.”
Congratulations to Albert Urena and to PCCC Men’s Volleyball. We are #PCCCProud of them.
Learn more about Men’s Volleyball and other athletic opportunities at pccc.edu/athletics
Written by Linda Telesco
Cover Photo: Page Saunders
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