NORFOLK, Va. (October 16, 2023) - Howard sophomore Rya McKinnon was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Norfolk State’s Gabrielle Gilbert was named Rookie of the Week, while Howard’s sophomore Claire Simpson earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively. North Carolina Central’s Bella Dearinger and Howard’s Kayla Diaz were named Co-Setters of the Week.
McKinnon (So., OH, Hoover, Ala.) tallied 3.33 kills per set with a match-high 14 kills against the Norfolk State Spartans. She added one assist, two service aces, four digs, and two blocks to complete her stat line.
Gilbert (Fr., OH, Indianapolis, Ind.) recorded her second double-double of the season with 21 kills and 11 digs in the four-set victory over the Bears of Morgan State. She averaged 4.14 kills per set for 29 on the week. Gilbert added two assists, 14 digs, and four blocks as the Spartans claimed second in the MEAC standings with a 5-2 league record.
Simpson (So., L, Plainfield, Ill.) averaged 5.00 digs per set totaling 35 on the week to help the Bison to a 1-1 split. She added one kill, four assists, and three service aces as well. Simpson led all athletes with 20 digs in the four-set loss to High Point.
Dearinger (Jr., S, Muncie, Ind.) averaged 11.00 assists per set totaling 33 assists in the three-set victory for the Eagles over the S.C. State Bulldogs. She added a kill, a service aces, and four digs in the match as well. N.C. Central bounced against S.C. State back after dropping three conference matches in a row.
Diaz (Sr., S, Rockland, N.Y.) tallied 60 assists (8.57 avg.) between the two matches last week including 34 in a three-set sweep over the Spartans. She added 13 digs, three blocks, two services aces and one kill on the week. Diaz put up 24 assists in the four-set loss to annual Big South powerhouse High Point University in a non-conference contest.
Other Top Performers
Sydney McCree (NSU) - recorded nine kills, 48 assists, and 10 digs on the weekend en route to collecting her 1,000th career assist against the MSU Bears. McCree posted 32 assists against Morgan State.
Fabiana Mucciola (NSU) - collected a season-high 24 digs in the four-set victory over Morgan State. Contributed 10 digs in the loss at Howard and tallied six assists throughout both matches.
Jeslyn Spencer (NCCU) - Tallied a team-high 10 kills in Friday's road win at S.C. State while hitting for a .471 hitting percentage on the week. Added eight digs (2.67 digs/set) in the three-set victory.