Hartford's Stephanie Volckers (Hamburg, Germany/Sports High) earned America East Player of the Week honors, while Albany's Ashley DeNeal (Muncie, Ind./Delta) and Maine's Carmen Gabriel were named Rookie of the Week and Setter of the Week awards respectively.
Volckers is averaging 5.05 kills per game and 3.85 digs per game over the Hawk’s first six matches of the season. Overall, she has recorded 101 kills and 77 digs. Her most impressive performances came against Providence (21 kills, 16 digs), Army (23 kills, 20 digs) and Holy Cross (25 kills, 13 digs). She leads the team in kills, kills per game, digs and digs per game.
DeNeal currently leads the University at Albany with 65 kills and 79 digs and is second with 11 service aces. She also has a team-high four double-doubles, including one in each of her last three matches. DeNeal recorded a career-high 22 digs against Manhattan and a career-high 17 kills against Hofstra.
Gabriel is averaging 3.22 kills, 3.89 assists and 3.15 digs per game while hitting .246. She leads the Black Bears in digs and service aces (15) and is second in hitting percentage, kills and assists. Gabriel has already recorded three triple-doubles (kills, digs, assists) on the season and was named to the Sea-Sun Opener Invitational All-Tournament Team, highlighted by a 23-kill effort against SE Missouri State on Aug. 29.