BOSTON – UMBC and Bryant both went 2-0 in conference play last week, while UNH also won once as those three programs have separated themselves as we enter the midpoint of the season.
Need to Know
- UMBC moved to 4-0 in conference play and 8-5 overall with a 3-0 sweep of Binghamton, winning 25-15, 25-14 and 25-17 while hitting .330 as a team.
- Bryant dropped the opening two set at New Hampshire but stormed back to capture the final three 28-26, 25-22 and 15-8 to secure the comeback victory and move to 3-1 in league play.
- New Hampshire rebounded from its 3-2 loss to Bryant on Friday to sweep NJIT 3-0.
- UAlbany took down Siena in non-conference action and then fell 3-2 to Binghamton on Sunday.
- NJIT hosts Binghamton on Friday, UAlbany travels to Bryant on Saturday and then UMBC hosts New Hampshire on Sunday in a battle for sole possession of first place.
Links
Weekly Award Winners – Oct. 12
Player of the Week
Rachel Grier, New Hampshire – Sr., Outside Hitter, Dublin, Calif.
- Hit .373 in a 1-1 week, averaging 3.75 kills, 1.5 digs and 0.88 blocks per set.
- Hit .550 with 11 kills, five digs and two blocks in a 3-0 sweep of NJIT and posted a career-high 19 kills with five blocks in a 3-2 loss to Bryant.
- This is Grier’s second career #AEVB Player of the Week honor.
Defensive Player of the Week
Hannah Howard, UMBC – Sr., Libero, Inwood, W. Va.
- In a 3-0 sweep of Binghamton, posted 14 digs and had 3 aces while holding Binghamton to .100 hitting.
- This is Howard’s 13th career #AEVB Defensive Player of the Week honor.
Setter of the Week
Isabel Ostvig, UMBC – Sr., Setter, Fredericksburg, Va.
- Recorded 36 assists, three blocks and three digs in a sweep of Binghamton.
- This is Ostvig’s third #AEVB Setter of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Natlie Harris, UMBC – Fr., Outside Hitter, Orlando, Fla.
- Had 14 kills, 8 digs and 1 block in a 3-0 sweep of Binghamton while hitting .276.
- This is Harris’ second #AEVB Rookie of the Week honor.
2026 #AEVB Weekly Award Winners
Sept. 1 – Player of the Week: Emma Converse, New Hampshire; Setter of the Week: Isabel Ostvig, UMBC; Defensive Player of the Week: Hady Pickard, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Alissa Grant, UMBC
Sept. 8 – Player of the Week: Emma Converse, New Hampshire; Setter of the Week: Regan Kadel, Binghamton; Defensive Player of the Week: Carrina Barron, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Layla Olatunde, Bryant
Sept. 15 - Player of the Week: Viktoria Dimitrova, Binghamton; Setter of the Week: Isabel Ostvig, UMBC; Defensive Player of the Week: Hannah Howard, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Natalie Harris, UMBC
Sept. 22 – Player of the Week: Viktoria Dimitrova, Binghamton; Setter of the Week: Jessica Shattles, New Hampshire; Defensive Player of the Week: Hady Pickard, New Hampshire; Rookie of the Week: Alissa Grant, UMBC
Sept. 29 - Player of the Week: Hannah Dobbs, UMBC; Setter of the Week: Jessica Shattles, New Hampshire; Defensive Player of the Week: Eve Roman, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Addy Bianchini, UAlbany
Oct. 6 - Player of the Week: Claudia Llamas, UMBC; Setter of the Week: Jessica Shattles, New Hampshire; Defensive Player of the Week: Hannah Howard, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Alvarado Kalia, Bryant
Oct. 13 - Player of the Week: Rachel Grier, UNH; Setter of the Week: Isabel Ostvig, UMBC; Defensive Player of the Week: Hannah Howard, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Natalie Harris, UMBC
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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