BOSTON - Conference play began in America East volleyball over the weekend with Albany, UMBC and Hartford earning victories. The weekend featured a pair of five-set thrillers as UMBC recovered from a 2-1 deficit to beat Stony Brook in five sets, while Hartford trailed 2-0 before coming back to beat UMass Lowell in five sets. Here are the weekly award winners:
Player of the Week
Abbie Mirabella, UMBC, Jr., OH, Hockessin, Del.
- Ranked 2nd in the league in kills (3.80/s) and 5th in hitting percentage (.368) in a 1-0 week for UMBC.
- Also averaged 2.80 digs per set to rank 13th in the conference.
- Notched 19 kills and 14 digs in a five-set win over Stony Brook to open conference play.
Rookie of the Week
Kennedi Smith, New Hampshire, Fr., OH, The Woodlands, Texas
- Led the league with 4.25 kills per set on a conference-best .448 hitting percentage last week.
- Also posted 2.5 digs/set.
- Posted a double-double with 17 kills and 10 digs in a loss to Northeastern.
Setter of the Week
Astrid Mangual, Hartford, Jr., S, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
- Ranked second in the conference with 10.4 assists per set, while adding 3.6 digs per set in a 1-0 week.
- Led Hartford to a .189 hitting percentage which ranked third in the conference.
- Had 52 assists and 18 digs in a five-set win over UMass Lowell.
Defensive Specialist of the Week
Amanda Dolan, Albany, Sr. MB, Manhattan, Ill.
- Led the league with 2.0 blocks per set in a 1-0 week.
- Helped the Great Danes lead the America East in opponent hitting percentage, holding Binghamton to an .068 hitting percentage.
- Notched four kills and added eight blocks in a four-set win over Binghamton.
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
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