BOSTON - Albany pulled into a first-place tie with the New Hampshire Wildcats in America East volleyball action as the Great Danes snapped UNH's 19-match conference winning streak on Sunday to earn three weekly awards. Both teams sit in first place with 8-1 records with four matches to go in the conference season. UMBC and Stony Brook also picked-up wins to remain in a tie for third place with the conference tournament approaching. Here are the week ten award winners:
Player of the Week
Laini Leindecker, Albany, Jr., OH, New Philadelphia, Ohio
- Averaged 5.5 kiills/set and 3.33 digs/set in a 2-0 week including a win over previously unbeaten New Hampshire to pull into a tie for first.
- Posted 14 kills and 5 digs on a .400 hitting percentage in a sweep against Hartford.
- Notched 19 kills and 15 digs for her 11th double-double in a win over UNH, breaking the Wildcats' 19-match winning streak vs. conference opponents.
Setter of the Week
Mikala McCauley, Albany, Jr., S, Stanfordville, N.Y.
- Ranked second in the conference with 12.67 assists/set while helping Albany to a .296 hitting percentage in a 2-0 week.
- Dished out 33 assists in a win over Hartford.
- Had 43 assists and 15 digs in a win against UNH to pull Albany into a first-place tie.
Rookie of the Week
Taylor Wilson, Stony Brook, Fr., MB, Corydon, Ind.
- Totaled nine kills and eight digs in a win over UMass Lowell.
- Finished with a .615 hitting percentage.
Defensive Specialist of the Week
Nicole Otero, Albany, Fr., L, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
- Led the conference, averaging 6.50 digs/set in a 2-0 week for Albany.
- Helped Albany rank second in the conference, holding opponents to a .165 hitting percentage.
Notes
- Albany broke New Hampshire's 19-match winning streak vs. conference opponents, sweeping the Wildcats on Sunday. Albany and New Hampshire are tied for first.
- Both Albany and New Hampshire clinched spots in the conference tournament with four matches to go.
- UMBC can clinch a spot with a win over Binghamton on Friday.
- Stony Brook can clinch a spot with a win and a Binghamton loss on Friday OR a loss and a win over Binghamton on Sunday.
Weekly Award Winners
Aug. 31 - Player & Rookie of the Week: Maddie Schneider, UMBC; Setter of the Week: Morgan Kath, Stony Brook; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Bailey Walker, Binghamton
Sept. 8 - Player of the Week: Tori Forrest, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: McKyla Brooks, Stony Brook; Setter of the Week: Mikala McCauley, Albany; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Madison Lightfoot, New Hampshire
Sept. 14 - Player of the Week: Laini Leindecker, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Makenzie Morgen, UMBC; Setter of the Week: Mikala McCauley, Albany; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Bailey Walker, Binghamton
Sept. 21 - Player of the Week: Tori Forrest, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Morgan Kath, Stony Brook; Setter of the Week: Keelin Severtson, New Hampshire; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Nicole Otero, Albany
Sept. 28 - Player of the Week: Laini Leindecker, Albany; Rookie of the Week: McKyla Brooks, Stony Brook; Setter of the Week: Morgan Kath, Stony Brook; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Nicole Otero, Albany
Oct. 5 - Player of the Week: Demi Muses, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Makenzie Morgen, UMBC; Setter of the Week: Nicole Vogel, Stony Brook; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Madison Lightfoot, New Hampshire
Oct. 12 - Player of the Week: Kathy Fletcher, Stony Brook; Rookie of the Week: Makenzie Morgen, UMBC; Setter of the Week: Keelin Severtsen, New Hampshire; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Amanda Dolan, Albany
Oct. 19 - Player of the Week: Laini Leindecker, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Maddie Schneider, UMBC; Setter of the Week: Sarah Ngo, Binghamton; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Madison Lightfoot, New Hampshire
Oct. 26 - Player of the Week: Tori Forrest, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Maddie Schneider, UMBC; Setter of the Week: Nicole Vogel, Stony Brook; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Nicole Otero, Albany
Nov, 2 - Player of the Week: Laini Leindecker, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Taylor Wilson, Stony Brook; Setter of the Week: Mikala McCauley, Albany; Defensive Specialist of the Week: Nicole Otero, Albany