Awards:
All-NACC Second Team (April 9, 2025)
NACC Defensive Player of the Week (March 25, 2025)
NACC Defensive Player of the Week (March 18, 2025)
NACC Defensive Player of the Week (Feb. 14, 2023)
NACC Defensive Player of the Week (Jan. 24, 2023)
2025: Earned his first all-conference award being named to the second team. After making the transition to libero in late February Velasco proved himself as one of the top back row players in the conference. Velasco finished the regular season sixth in the NACC with 2.56 digs per set and had 218 total digs. He had 12 performances with double-digit digs, including the final five matches, with two of those matches having at least 20 digs. His top performance came against North Park at the Cal-Lu-Fornia Invitational where he had a career-high 30 digs. This earned him a NACC Defensive Player of the Week award and he eventually repeated after a 22-dig performance against Illinois Tech. Velasco had two double-doubles on the year going for 13 kills and 13 digs against UWSP, and posting 23 kills with 14 digs against CUW.
2024: Played in 81 matches over 24 sets recording 188 kills, 2.32 kills per set, 19 service aces, 204 digs, 2.52 digs per set, and 18 total blocks. Had six double-doubles on the season with double-digit kills and digs in nine matches. Posted a season-high 24 kills off of a .310 hitting percentage in a five-set win over MSOE where he also had 13 digs as part of a double-double. Then against Mount St. Joseph, he had a season-high 22 digs to go with 15 kills. Posted multiple blocks in three matches and multiple service aces five times. Against Hilbert, he would record a season-best four aces.
2023: Was a versatile tool in the front and back row for the Sabres appearing in 87 sets over 24 matches. Recorded 49 kills to go with 47 service aces, 263 digs, and 41 assists. Posted one double-double on the season after a season-high 11 kills to go with 14 digs against Baldwin Wallace. Also had 11 kills in a win over Lakeland. Had double-digit digs in 16 matches with a season-best 20 coming in th final match of the season against IIT. His 3.02 digs per set average on the season was good for 16th in the nation and second in the NACC. Had multiple service aces in three matches with two of those performances being three-service ace matches. Was named the NACC Defensive Player of the Week twice.
2022: Appeared in 101 sets over 31 matches leading the Marian back row with 249 digs, second in the NACC, with a 2.47 digs per set average. Also posted 155 kills, 1.53 kills per set, 22 service aces, and 22 total blocks. Had three matches where he recorded a season-high 11 kills with double-digit digs in 13 matches. Had three double-doubles and posted a season-high 16 digs in two matches. Recorded a service ace in all but nine matches with multiple aces in six matches. Set a season-high with four aces against Wabash where he also had one of his double-doubles with 11 kills and 10 digs.
2021: Played in all 13 matches finding the court for 40 sets. Recorded 12 kills iwth a service ace and 41 digs for the season. Recorded 10 kills at home against Rockford (Mar. 19) with a .375 attack percentage, and had 11 digs to close out the regular season against Aurora (Apr. 2). Recorded four or more digs in six matches.
High School: Competed in volleyball, football, basketball, and soccer during his time at William McKinley High School. He was named the male athlete of the year and the most outstanding player for the volleyball program his senior season.
Personal
Parents: Anthony and Jacqueline Velasco
Siblings: One brother (Javean) and two sisters (Jaena and Anjali)
Major: Exercise and Sports Science
