New Hampshire's Alyson Coler (Monte Sereno, Calif./Los Gatos) has been named America East Player of the Week, while Albany's Ashley DeNeal (Muncie, Ind./Delta) and UMBC's Megan Gross (Mont Clair, Va./Forest Park) were also recognized with Rookie of the Week and Setter of the Week honors respectively.
A senior outside hitter, Coler registered 49 kills, 38 digs, eight blocks and seven service aces on the weekend. Coler averaged 3.77 kills per game and 2.92 digs per game, guiding the Wildcats to a 2-1 record in the UNH Tournament. Coler was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts as she tallied 40 kills vs. Syracuse and 21 vs. Florida International. Coler has recorded 10+ kills in 11 of UNH’s 13 matches and has 15+ kills six times this season.
DeNeal receives her third straight Rookie of the Week as she averaged 3.27 kills per game and 3.77 digs per game for Albany. She recorded a career-high 19 kills to go along with 19 digs against Long Island and followed that up with 14 kills and 15 digs versus Fairfield. On the season DeNeal is averaging a team-best 2.96 kills per game.
Gross, a sophomore setter, went over the 500 assist mark on the season after dishing out 144 assists in three matches at the Villanova Invitational. In the opening contest against Manhattan, Gross powered the Retrievers with 48 assists and 10 digs while hitting three kills in UMBC’s 3-1 victory. She later led UMBC's come-from-behind five-set win over Pennsylvania with 61 assists, 16 digs and three kills on eight attempts (.375). In the final match against host Villanova, Gross scored 35 more assists and added 10 defensive digs. Gross now leads the team with 553 assists and 131 digs on the season.