BOSTON – The 2025 collegiate volleyball season kicked off last week and four of the six #AEVB programs earned non-conference wins, highlighted by a 3-0 start for defending champion New Hampshire.
Need to Know
- New Hampshire was the lone #AEVB program to earn a sweep over the weekend. The Wildcats downed Saint Peter’s, 3-2, and Holy Cross, 3-0, to start the season. New Hampshire also had a come-from-behind victory over Northeastern Saturday night to complete a perfect 3-0 record in the 2025 Holly Young Invitational.
- UAlbany secured multiple wins over the weekend. The Great Danes swept both Saint Francis and Robert Morris before falling to Toledo in three sets.
- UMBC split the week going 1-1. After a tough loss to Kansas State, the Retrievers bounced back in a 3-1 victory over Delaware. UMBC was led by #AEVB Defensive Player of the Week, Hannah Howard, who totaled 26 digs and seven assists in the match.
- NJIT secured their first win of the season in a 3-1 victory over Stonehill on Saturday. The Highlanders were led by Emma Wild who chipped in 12 kills and four assists in the opening weekend win.
- Binghamton and Bryant each look for their first wins of the season this week.
- There are 17 #AEVB Matches this weekend, highlighted by Bryant and UAlbany each playing three matches at home on Friday and Saturday.
- The #AEVB preseason poll and All-Conference teams were announced on August 7 - link.
Weekly Award Winners – Sept. 4
Player & Rookie of the Week
Lucy Chertock, New Hampshire – Fr., Outside Hitter, Danville, Calif.
- Across three wins, Chertock totaled 47 kills, 22 digs, and 10 blocks. She hit .320 with 3.62 kills per set and 1.69 digs per set.
- Hit .395 with 19 kills, eight digs and four total blocks in a 3-2 win over Northeastern.
- This is Chertock’s first career #AEVB Player & Rookie of the Week award.
Setter of the Week
Maria Olga Siapani, UAlbany – So., Setter, Limassol, Cyprus
- Averaged a conference-best 8.2 assists per set last week as UAlbany went 2-1.
- Added 2.33 digs per set and 12 total points for the Great Danes
- This is Siapani’s seventh America East volleyball weekly award.
Defensive Playerof the Week
Hannah Howard, UMBC – Jr., Libero, Inwood, W. Va.
- Had 26 digs in only four sets (6.5 per set) in win over Delaware, the 10th most in a match in program history, while adding seven assists and an ace in the match.
- Finished the weekend averaging 5.29 digs per set
- This is Howard’s first #AEVB Defensive Player of the Week honor this year.
2025 #AEVB Weekly Award Winners
Sept. 3 – Player & Rookie of the Week: Lucy Chertock, New Hampshire; Setter of the Week: Maria Olga Siapani, UAlbany; Defensive Player of the Week: Hannah Howard, UMBC
Links
Info
Fans will once again be able to watch nearly every #AEVB contest this season with the majority of games airing on ESPN+ and the ESPN app while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices and the America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching ‘America East Conference’ in app stores.
Follow the @AmericaEast channels on Twitter and Instagram to stay up-to-date on America East volleyball news all season long and use #AEVB to join the conversation.
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Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit
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