Kevin Rodríguez Named “Setter of the Year” in the 2024 LVSM

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, October 29, 2024.- Kevin Rodríguez Cintrón, setter for the Mets de Guaynabo, has been selected as the 2024 "Setter of the Year" in the Men’s Superior Volleyball League (LVSM) in Puerto Rico.

Rodríguez Cintrón dominated the LVSM’s Values of the Year voting, held by the Puerto Rican Volleyball Federation (FPV), receiving 77 votes to secure the honor. The runner-up was Eli Irizarry of the Cafeteros de Yauco with 25 votes, followed by Oscar Fiorentino from the Changos de Naranjito with 13 votes, and Howard García with 9 votes.

Kevin ended the regular season as the leader in sets, amassing 472 sets over 65 sets played, averaging 7.26 per set. He was included in the following All-Star Teams during the regular season: Week #2: Player of the Week; Week #3: Best Setter; Week #6: Best Setter; and Week #11: Best Setter.

Throughout the regular season, Rodríguez showcased some outstanding performances, including matches where he delivered 41 assists against the Plataneros de Corozal and 38 assists against the Indios de Mayagüez.

In the postseason, during the first game of the quarterfinals, he provided 49 assists; in the second game, he went even further with 54 assists, and in the final game of the series against the Indios de Mayagüez, he contributed 45 assists.

His average during the quarterfinals was 11.4 assists per set across 13 sets.

"”’m happy with this recognition; it’s been a great year for the Mets. I believe the management did everything possible to form a solid team, and thanks to my teammates, I was able to excel in the game and receive this acknowledgment”, said the 30-year-old setter.

Before voting, fans on social media weighed in on who they thought would be the Setter of the Year, posting comments like: "Kevin, the king of the court"... "It’s Kevin’s for sure"… "Kevin Rodríguez Cintrón by a mile"... "I’m a Changos fan, but definitely Kevin Rodríguez"... "No need to look any further! Kevin Rodríguez Cintrón, 100%."

To this, Rodríguez responded, “Thank you for the fans' support. I’ve been in the league for 12 years, and this is the first time I’ve received this kind of recognition. I’m really happy”. He also took the opportunity to acknowledge the work of other setters, including Howard García (Caribes de San Sebastián) and Oscar Fiorentino (Changos de Naranjito).

“I remember starting out when legends like Juanmi Ruiz, Edgardo Goas, Ángel Pérez, and Fernando Morales were active setters. Looking back, I knew this moment was coming, and I made the most of it”,  Rodríguez added.

For the newly named Setter of the Year, despite the 20-game season, the schedule didn’t feel too grueling. He enjoyed the segmented approach, though he misses the round-robin format. “It was something different, and it worked well. Above all, it was very competitive.

“I firmly believe we could add another foreign player, which would allow some teams to strengthen and be more competitive”.

“I thank my family because they’ve allowed me to keep training and doing what I love. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to keep fighting for my dreams”, Rodríguez Cintrón concluded.

Kevin and the Mets de Guaynabo now await the outcome of the series between the Cafeteros de Yauco and Plataneros de Corozal to begin the Semifinal Series.