Women's Volleyball 11/19/2025 12:00:00 PM 2025 #AEVB All-Conference Awards Released as Four Programs Earn Major Awards BOSTON – Following one of the most competitive seasons in conference history, four different programs secured major awards as the America East released its 2025 #AEVB All-Conference awards on Wednesday afternoon. Arianna Ugolini claimed Player of the Year honors for Bryant, the first Bulldog to win a major award, while UMBC’s Hannah Howard earned Defensive Player of the Year honors and UMBC was awarded Coaching Staff of the Year. UAlbany’s Maria Olga Siapani was recognized as the Setter of the Year, while Lucy Chertock claimed Rookie of the Year honors for New Hampshire. The All-Conference teams, All-Rookie team and major awards were determined in a vote by the league’s six head coaches who could not vote for their own players. The All-Academic team was voted on by a committee of administrators from the conference’s member institutions. Defensive Player of the Year was previously named Libero of the Year 2025 #AEVB Major Awards Player of the Year Arianna Ugolini, Sr., Bryant Leads the league in kills per set (3.94), aces per set (0.42), points per set (4.50) and total kills (402). Helped lead Bryant to a share of its first regular season title in conference history. First Bulldog to win a major #AEVB Individual Award. Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Howard, Jr., UMBC Leads #AEVB in digs per set at 4.35 and had nine contests with 20+ digs. Helped UMBC secure at least a share of fourth regular season title in the last six years. Won this award in 2023 when it was named Libero of the Year and fifth straight Retriever to claim the award overall. Setter of the Year Maria Olga Siapani, So., UAlbany Leads #AEVB in assists per set at 9.08 and ranks eighth in digs per set (2.89). Has 13 double-doubles and recorded 40+ assists nine times this season. Second Great Dane in the past three seasons to be named Setter of the Year. Rookie of the Year Lucy Chertock, Fr., New Hampshire Ranks fifth in the conference in kills per set (3.22) and sixth in points per set (3.64). Also averaged 2.06 digs and 0.53 blocks per set. Third Wildcat to be named Rookie of the Year and first since 2022. Coaching Staff of the Year: UMBC UMBC went 7-3 in conference play to earn a share of its 4th regular season title in the past five seasons. In conference play the Retrievers led the league in opponent hitting percentage (.166) while ranking second in kills (13.36), assists (12.56), blocks (2.40) and opponent digs (14.44) per set. Head Coach Kasey Crider is assisted by Jaime Kosiorek, Alexis Jordan and Luke O’Neill. UMBC, UAlbany and Binghamton each had three honorees named First-Team All-Conference. The Retrievers and Great Danes had two on Second Team for three total, while New Hampshire had three Second-Team selections. Five schools had All-Rookie honorees, led by Binghamton, Bryant and New Hampshire with three apiece. Bryant had a league-high three All-Academic selections, while New Hampshire had a pair. Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central for streaming and live stats links as well as box scores, highlights and recaps following each round in addition to team information, tournament history and more. ABOUT AMERICA EAST 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 www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference and its social media channels, @AmericaEast. - America East Conference – Where Champions Rise -