Akana, Nieters, and Elek Claim Volleyball Weekly Awards
MAAC Sports
MAAC Offensive Player of the Week
TAYLOR AKANA,
SIENA
OH, Fr., 5-6,
Kaneohe, HI/Kamehameha
Akana averaged 6.6 kills and 3.3 digs per set posting
double-doubles in both matches as Siena opened league play with a win over
defending MAAC Champion Niagara and a loss to Canisius. Akana had 20 kills and
11 digs in the three-set loss to the Griffs, and 26 kills and 12 digs in the
3-1 win over the Purple Eagles. She was at her best when it mattered most,
helping the Saints rally from a 15-8 deficit in the fourth set to put away
Niagara Sunday with six late kills.
MAAC Defensive Player of the Week
ALLISON NIETERS,
IONA
OH/L, Sr., 5-9,
St. Charles, MO/Lutheran
Nieters continued her stellar play in the backrow for the
Gaels, posting 53 digs (6.62 / set) in MAAC wins at Saint Peter's and Loyola
this past weekend. Nieters had 20 digs in a three-set vs. the Peahens and was
12-for-12 on serve receptions. She followed the effort up with 33 digs vs. the
Greyhounds, her second 30+ dig effort of the season. She moved up to No. 20 on
the NCAA's all-time dig list with her 2,298 career digs.
MAAC Rookie of the Week
EMILY ELEK,
CANISIUS
OH, RS-Fr., 5-8,
Wescosville, Pa./Emmaus
Elek averaged 4.43 kills per set and 1.14 blocks per set in
two Canisius road victories last week. The redshirt freshman led Canisius in
kills in both matches, posting 13 kills and a career-high five blocks in the
three-set win at Siena. Elek also had a career-high 18 kills to go along with
three blocks in the four set win at Marist. The Wescosville, Pa. native was a
perfect 19-for-19 on service receptions in the two matches while totaling eight
digs.