BOSTON - Albany took sole possession of first place in America East volleyball, headling the weekend with a five-set win over New Hampshire to remain perfect in league action. Binghamton also picked-up a big win, beating UNH for the first time since 2012. UMBC was a perfect 2-0 on the weekend, while Hartford grabbed its second conference win over Stony Brook. Here are the weekly award winners:
Player of the Week
Laini Leindecker, Albany, Sr., OH, New Philadelphia, Ohio
- Posted 21 kills and 19 digs in a five-set win over New Hampshire.
- Finished with a .311 hitting percentage.
- Led the league with 4.20 kills per set for the week.
- Helped Albany take sole possession of first place in the America East.
Rookie of the Week
Lauren Kornmann, Binghamton, Fr., OH, Kenvil, N.J.
- Led Binghamton to its first win over New Hampshire since 2012, registering 18 kills and eight digs.
- Rank second in the league with 4.11 kills per set.
Setter of the Week
Claudia Lopez, UMBC, So., S, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
- Led the league with 11.75 assists per set, helping the Retrievers to a league-best .227 hitting percentage.
- Registered 59 assists in a win over Hartford, tying a school record.
Defensive Specialist of the Week
Nicole Otero, Albany, So., L, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
- Tied a career-high with 27 digs in a win over New Hampshire.
- Led the league with 5.40 digs per set.
- Helped Albany take sole possession of first place.
Weekly Award Winners
Aug. 30 - Player of the Week: Abbie Mirabella, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Katherine Claybaugh, UMass Lowell; Setter of the Week: Claudia Lopez, UMBC; Def. Specialist of the Week: Nicole Otero, Albany
Sep. 6 - Player of the Week: Laini Leindecker, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Katherine Claybaugh, UMass Lowell; Setter of the Week: Keelin Severtson, New Hampshire; Def. Specialist of the Week: Lindsey Visvardis, UMass Lowell
Sep. 13 - Player of the Week: Gaby Alica, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Chloe Evering, Albany; Setter of the Week: Sarah Ngo, Binghamton; Def. Specialist of the Week: Kristin Watson, UMBC
Sep. 20 - Player of the Week: Demis Muses, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Emily Tanski, New Hampshire; Setter of the Week: Claudia Lopez, UMBC; Def. Specialist of the Week: Nicole Otero, Albany
Sep. 27 - Player of the Week: Abbie Mirabella, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Kennedi Smith, New Hampshire; Setter of the Week: Astrid Mangual, Hartford; Def. Specialist of the Week: Amanda Dolan, Albany
Oct. 4 - Player of the Week: Demi Muses; Rookie of the Week: Kennedi Smith, New Hampshire; Setter of the Week: Keelin Severtson, New Hampshire; Def. Sepcialist of the Week: Nicole Otero, Albany
Oct. 11 - Player of the Week: Demi Muses, UNH; Rookie of the Week: Emily Tanski, UNH; Setter of the Week: Keelin Severtson, UNH; Def. Specialist of the Week: Kristin Watson, UMBC
Oct. 18 - Player of the Week: Laini Leindecker, Albany; Rookie of the Week: Lauren Kornmann, Binghamton; Setter of the Week: Claudia Lopez, UMBC; Def. Specialst of the Week: Nicole Otero, Albany
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