NORFOLK, Va., Aug. 30, 2021—Delaware State sophomore Alondra Maldonado was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference office announced today. Howard’s Bria Woodard was named Rookie of the Week, while Howard junior Kayla Diaz earned Setter of the Week honors and Maryland Eastern Shore senior Mauri Carver was named Defensive Player of the Week.
Maldonado (6-1, So., MB, Patillas, Puerto Rico) averaged 4.1 kills per set and hit .408 for the weekend as Delaware State opened with three straight wins – defeating Saint Peter’s, Bucknell and St. Francis Brooklyn in straight sets. She opened the season hitting .500 against Saint Peter’s on Friday, racking up 10 kills and two blocks. She also had a team-high 15 kills against Bucknell, as well as 12 kills, a .417 hitting percentage and four blocks against St. Francis Brooklyn.
Woodard (6-3, Fr., OH, Missouri City, Texas) averaged 3.1 kills per set as the Bison went 2-1 this past weekend, including a 14-kill effort on Saturday against Georgetown – a match in which she hit .286 and added five digs. In her collegiate debut against George Washington, Woodard had eight kills, 11 digs and three service aces, and she added nine more kills on Sunday against George Mason.
Diaz (5-7, Jr., S, Nanuet, N.Y.) averaged 9.5 assists per set for the Bison, quarterbacking Howard to wins over George Washington and Georgetown. She had a career-high 39 assists against Georgetown and added 37 more assists against George Washington. Diaz added seven digs in the Georgetown match, and she had a service ace in each of the Bison’s three matches.
Carver (6-3, Sr., MB, Elizabeth City, N.C.) recorded a MEAC-best 16 total blocks this past weekend as Maryland Eastern Shore saw the court for the first time since 2019. She opened the season with four blocks, to go along with 12 kills, against Robert Morris – before adding six more blocks and nine kills against Fairleigh Dickinson. In the Hawks’ win over Manhattan, Carver racked up five blocks and eight kills.
Other Top Performers
Ahzhi Coleman (Coppin State) had six kills and three blocks against Georgia Southern.
Miajavon Coleman (Coppin State) had three double-doubles this past weekend against Bethune-Cookman (14 kills, 12 digs), Georgia Southern (15 kills, 14 digs) and Presbyterian (12 kills, 15 digs).
Ashley Roman (Coppin State) was named All-Tournament at the Bash in the Boro, racking up 23 digs against Georgia Southern and 17 against Presbyterian.
Jelena Dukic (Delaware State) averaged 7.4 assists per set and had a weekend-high 24 assists in a win over St. Francis Brooklyn.
Jennifer Bolden (Howard) had 14 kills against Georgetown and 11 against George Washington.
Cimone Woodard (Howard) had nine kills, three blocks and two service aces in her collegiate debut against George Washington.
Madison Grace (Morgan State) averaged 2.5 kills and 1.4 digs per set in four matches this past weekend, including 11 kills against Binghamton.
Jadore Hayes (Morgan State) racked up 19 digs against Binghamton and 11 against Cleveland State.
Justyus Jackson (Morgan State) had seven kills each against Cleveland State and Towson.
Mackenzie Jefferson (Morgan State) averaged 5.9 assists per set and had 24 assists each against Binghamton and Navy.