Schlegel, Kalama, and Gray Earn MAAC Volleyball Weekly Awards
MAAC Sports
Player of the Week
Amanda Schlegel, Marist
So., S, 5-9, Austin, Texas/St. Stephen’s Episcopal
Schlegel contributed in several facets of Marist’s 3-0 week, which included wins in nine consecutive sets against the teams picked second, third and fifth in the MAAC preseason poll (Fairfield, Iona, and Manhattan). Schlegel’s average of 12.30 assists per set was over two assists greater than her MAAC-leading average. She also averaged 1.75 points per set thanks to 0.8 aces per set, and also averaged 2.8 digs, 0.7 kills and 0.5 blocks per set while hitting .333 for the week. Against Fairfield on Sept. 24, she had 54 assists, 15 digs, five kills with a .556 hitting percentage, three aces and three blocks in Marist’s 3-1 win. At Manhattan on Sept. 27, she contributed 36 assists, six digs, three aces and a kill in a 3-0 sweep. On Sept. 28 at Iona, she had 33 assists, seven digs, two aces, two blocks and a kill in another 3-0 sweep.
Libero of the Week
Bobbi Lin Kalama, Siena
So., L, 5-8, Wailuku, Hawaii/Kamehameha Maui
Kalama averaged 7.14 digs per set and quarterbacked a Siena defense which allowed their opponents to hit just a combined .142 as the Saints went a perfect 2-0 with conference road wins at Iona and Manhattan. Kalama achieved season-highs in digs with 25 in each match. She averaged 6.25 digs per set in Saturday’s four-set win at Iona and averaged 8.33 digs per set, more than twice her career average, in Sunday’s sweep at Manhattan. She also picked up a rare kill for set point in the Saints’ 28-26 marathon first set win over the Jaspers.
Rookie of the Week
Alexis Gray, Niagara
Fr., S, 5-8, San Clemente, California/Capistrano Valley
Alexis Gray led both matches in assists and earned consecutive double-doubles as Niagara split its conference home opening weekend. Gray, who entered the weekend second in the conference in assists, averaged 9.75 assists per set in the two matches. On Saturday, Gray had a match-high 39 assists and added 12 digs to go along with two kills, two aces and three block assists versus Rider. On Sunday, Gray once again led the match with 39 assists while also tying a career-mark in digs with 16 for her second double-double of the weekend and fourth in her career. Gray also tied a career-high with four aces in the four-set win over the Peacocks.