USC’s Dillon Klein Named to Inaugural AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List
USC senior outside hitter Dillon Klein is making serious noise on the national stage-and now, he’s got the recognition to match. The standout from Pacific Palisades has been named to the first-ever official watch list for the AVCA National Collegiate Player of the Year award, a nod to just how dominant he’s been early in the 2026 season.
Klein is one of 15 players selected by the AVCA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Awards Committee, which will continue to shape the award’s trajectory throughout the season. That includes potential midseason additions, semifinalist selections in April, a final four in May, and the eventual crowning of the National Player of the Year during the NCAA Championship in Los Angeles.
The list is stacked with talent, but Klein’s presence among the five MPSF players selected speaks volumes. He’s joined by Pepperdine’s Ryan Barnett and Cole Hartke, and UCLA’s Zach Rama and Andrew Rowan-making it clear the MPSF is once again a powerhouse in the national conversation.
The Big West also flexes its depth, with five players including two from Hawai’i and one each from CSUN, UC Irvine, and Long Beach State. Loyola Chicago placed two players on the list, while McKendree, Lewis, and Ball State each had one representative.
For Klein, this honor is just the latest in a string of accolades. He was named MPSF/Molten Offensive Player of the Week on Feb. 2-his sixth career weekly award, and the first for any Trojan this spring.
And it’s well-earned. Through USC’s first five matches of the 2026 campaign, Klein has led the team in both kills and points every time out.
His latest performance? A 20-kill outing-his ninth career match with 20 or more-helped USC knock off No.
13 Ohio State and pushed his career total to 66 matches with double-digit kills.
Statistically, he’s been electric. Klein ranks second in the nation in kills per set (4.44) and points per set (5.42), anchoring a USC squad that’s firing on all cylinders.
The Trojans, currently ranked No. 4 in the country, are off to a 5-0 start for the third consecutive season. They’ve been flawless at home (4-0) and have a big week ahead with two more ranked opponents coming to the Galen Center.
First up is No. 16 CSUN (7-1) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
PT, followed by a Saturday showdown with No. 15 UC Santa Barbara (5-3) at 5 p.m.
Both matches will stream live on Big Ten Plus.
It’s early, but USC is playing like a team with championship aspirations-and Dillon Klein is leading the charge. With his name now officially in the Player of the Year conversation, all eyes will be on how far he can take this Trojans team in 2026.