NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 20, 2021—Norfolk State redshirt senior Rachel Williams was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the conference office announced today. Norfolk State’s Caris Cross was named both Rookie of the Week and Setter of the Week, and Norfolk State senior Nicole Rodriguez was named Defensive Player of the Week.
 
Williams (5-10, r-Sr., OH, Mesquite, Texas) earned All-Tournament honors at the Quest for the Crown after averaging 3.3 kills and 3.4 digs per set. She opened the weekend with 11 kills and nine digs against Buffalo – before turning in her first 20-20 match of the year with 20 kills and 20 digs in a five-set win over Radford, hitting .333 in that match. She closed out the week with an error-free performance against Old Dominion, tallying nine kills and 12 digs.
 
Cross (5-11, Fr., S, Lambertville, Mich.) averaged 9.42 assists per set for the Spartans and recorded two double-doubles. She opened the weekend with 32 assists and 10 digs against Buffalo before turning in a 52-assist, 10-dig effort in Norfolk State’s five-set win over Radford. Cross also had a service ace in matches against Radford and Old Dominion.
 
Rodriguez (5-5, Sr., L, Kissimmee, Fla.) totaled 59 digs in three matches, averaging 5.0 digs per set. She had 23 digs each against Buffalo and Radford, and she closed out the weekend with 13 digs against Quest for the Crown host Old Dominion.
 
Other Top Performers
Paola Caten (Coppin State) had nine kills and seven digs against Loyola (Md.).
 
Kareemah Hopkins (Coppin State) notched 22 assists and 15 digs against Loyola (Md.).
 
Ashley Roman (Coppin State) racked up 17 digs against Loyola (Md.).
 
Jasmal Cruz (Delaware State) had 15 digs and 14 digs, respectively, in a pair of wins over Binghamton.
 
Kristi Gomez (Delaware State) had 11 kills and 14 digs in the first win over Binghamton on Friday.
 
Milexa Cardona (Howard) recorded 36 assists and 11 digs against Harvard.
 
Tamar Wells (Howard) notched seven total blocks against Harvard.
 
Bria Woodard (Howard) was one dig shy of a double-double against Harvard, with 19 kills and nine digs.
 
Derionah Abner (Maryland Eastern Shore) was named MVP of the Hawk Invitational, racking up 10 kills against Hampton and eight against Saint Francis.
 
Madison Grace (Morgan State) racked up 12 kills against Rhode Island and 10 against Merrimack.
 
Mackenzie Jefferson (Morgan State) had 32 assists against Rhode Island and averaged 9.0 assists per set over the weekend.
 
Jasmin Perry (Morgan State) averaged 2.4 kills per set and was named to the UNH/Merrimack All-Tournament Team.
 
Lauren Janok (North Carolina Central) was named All-Tournament at the Duke Classic, averaging 7.2 assists per set.
 
Abby Vacha (North Carolina Central) had nine kills each against Duke and LIU.