LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY -- The AVCA announced that Hilir Henno received the AVCA Distinction of Excellence Award, presented by Nike Volleyball.

The award recognizes a student-athlete whose contribution to the sport extends beyond accolades, uniting generational athletic excellence with personal integrity, academic commitment, and a long-term impact. 

Henno, who committed to UC Irvine and stayed all four years, became  a first-team AVCA All-American for the third consecutive season in 2025.  Last year he was the AVCA Player of the Year, leading the Anteaters to the semifinal round. This season, the outside hitter has helped UC Irvine to a top-5 ranking in every AVCA Poll, including the Anteaters reaching as high as No. 2 for five weeks, which is the school's highest rank in a decade.

"Hilir is a player whose influence is felt not only through record-setting performance, but through the way he leads and has carried himself during his collegiate career," said AVCA CEO Jaime Gordon. "The award is reserved for those who leave behind more than stats—also creating a legacy at their institution and on college athletics, as a whole—which he has done."

Henno has continued to raise the level of his game, especially the past two seasons.  He ranks second in the country in aces in 2025 and tied the NCAA career ace mark of 255 in this year's Big West Tournament. He also is second in points per set (5.47) and third in kills per set (4.40) nationally.