The first week of America East volleyball is in the books as all seven America East teams took part in different tournaments across the country. UMBC earned a pair of victories while UMass Lowell, New Hampshire and Stony Brook each picked-up one win. Here are the weekly award winners:
Player of the Week
Abbie Mirabella, UMBC, Jr., OH, Hockessin, Del.
- Averaged a league-best 4.82 kills per set in a 2-1 week for the Retrievers.
- Ranked sixth in the conference with a .295 hitting percentage and also averaged 2.00 digs per set.
- Recorded a career-high 26 kills in a win over St. Francis Brooklyn, the most by a Retriever since Krystal Williams had 31 at Albany on Oct. 17, 2014.
- Finished the match vs. the Terriers with a double-double, notching 10 digs.
Rookie of the Week
Katherine Claybaugh, UMass Lowell, Fr., OH, Danville, Calif.
- Tallied a career-high 13 kills against Providence at the Spartan Invitational.
- Was one of two River Hawks to be named to the All-Tournament Team.
- Finished the week averaging 3.22 kills per set and 2.33 digs per set with a .273 hitting percentage as UMass Lowell went 1-2.
Setter of the Week
Claudia Lopez, UMBC, So., S, Guanaybo, Puerto Rico
- Ranked second in the conference with 9.33 assists per set while leading UMBC to the third-best team hitting percentage last week (.202).
- Had 26 assists in just two sets vs. Norfolk State as UMBC hit .330.
- Came off the bench to help lead a comeback vs. St. Francis Brooklyn, totaling 45 assists in the match.
- Also averaged 2.11 digs per set.
Defensive Specialist of the Week
Nicole Otero, Albany, So., L, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
- Led the league, averaging 5.82 digs per set last week in matches vs. New Mexico State, UNLV and UC Santa Barbara.
- Tallied double-digit digs in each of the three matches, including 27 vs. UC Santa Barbara.
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
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