By KELSIE JOHNSON, NG Sports Reporter, kelsie@nasguard.com

It was another stellar year for Bahamian collegiate volleyball player Prince Wilson, playing for the Lindenwood University Lions.

Wilson along with Bahamian Byron Ferguson led the Lions men's volleyball squad to a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championships' appearance. The duo played a pivotal role in the National Invitational pool playoffs, where they lost to the fourth ranked St. Ambrose Fighting Bees.

Wilson, who is in his senior year at the college, was named to the conference's first all-conference team and the all-tournament team. The starting outside attacker for The Bahamas men's national team, ended the season with 378 kills, averaging 3.56 kills per game, and a hitting percentage of 32 percent.

He successfully blocked 53 balls, recorded 68 digs, had 10 assists to go along with 37 service aces. Wilson is ranked second in the attackers division in the Mid-America Men's Volleyball Intercollegiate Conference (MAMVIC).

Wilson said: "It was a great senior year for me. I accomplished a lot of the things that I wanted to except for winning the conference. This season truly helped me in becoming a better athlete because I had to learn the leadership role when our number one outside hitter got hurt. Coach was depending on me to help bring the team through.

"I think this season has also helped Byron's game because if you look at him then to now, you would see how much of a better player he has become.

He had an excellent national tournament and I wish I had played better to back up his performance, but you can't always have a good game."

Nowadays, where more volleyball scholarships are being awarded to females, Wilson said he was determined to improve his game and pave a path which will assist more Bahamian males interested in playing the sport, to obtain a college education first and foremost.

Ferguson is in his freshman year in college. However, he has already established himself as one of the leading middle players in the conference. He finished second behind teammate Kyle Riddell in the blocking category. He recorded 28 solo blocks and 112 assists for a season's total of 140, averaging 1.2 blocks per game.

"It wasn't all that hard. Once you do what the coaches ask and work hard everything falls into place," said Ferguson, "but at the same time, it's stressful dealing with full-time practices and school. This year's season was successful for me, even though we didn't win the whole thing. Personally, it was a success. I won good much individual awards."

At the junior volleyball championships which were held last year in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ferguson walked away with the best blocker award and was ranked in both the best scorer and attacker divisions.

He added: "As far as national team, for me I know my game has improved so much and I know that it will only be my second senior team but I am playing at a different level. I think that I am in the position to assist other players in areas they need to pick up as well as be a good teammate to them.

"I think this year is the perfect year for us (the team) to win because my game has gone to higher levels as well as Prince and Renaldo, who here in school with me. Jamaal can contribute as well, so with us and the other good players at home, if we learn to play together, we should be fine."

The Bahamas national volleyball teams will compete in the Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (CVC) Championships in July of this year. The tournament will be played in Bridgetown, Barbados.