Volleyball

MEAC Announces Weekly Volleyball Honors, presented by Coca-Cola

NORFOLK, Va. - (November 13, 2023) - Howard’s 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 North Carolina Central’s Bella Dearinger earned Setter of the Week honors, respectively. Coppin State’s Ashley Roman was named the Defensive Player of the Week.  

McKinnon (So., OH, Hoover, Ala.) recorded a double-double of 15 kills and 18 digs in the regular season finale against the Norfolk State Spartans. She added one service ace to complete her stat line.

Gilbert (Fr., OH, Indianapolis, Ind.) hit .207 against Howard to conclude conference action, averaging 2.50 kills, 2.25 digs, and 1.00 ace per set. She led the Spartans in all four categories, kills (10), digs (9), and aces (4).

Dearinger (Jr., S, Muncie, Ind.) averaged 10.75 assists per set totaling 43 assists in the four-set victory for the Eagles over the S.C. State Bulldogs. She added two kills, a service aces, and 11 digs in the match as well.

Roman (r-Sr., L, Isabela, Puerto Rico) averaged 4.80 digs per set for the Eagles this past week, including a weekend-high 17 against Morgan State on Friday. She wrapped up the weekend with 29 total digs over two matches against Morgan State with seven assists and two service aces.

Other Top Performers
Claire Simpson (Howard) had 19 digs, along with two service aces, in the road win at Norfolk State.

Kayla Diaz (Howard) had 29 assists, along with three service aces and six digs, in the road win at Norfolk State.

Andrea Tsvetanova (Coppin State) collected 43 assists (7.17 avg), 11 digs and three aces in six total sets against Morgan State.

Laila Ibrahim (Coppin State) tallied 14 kills (2.33/set) on .346 hitting and 10 blocks (1.67/set) in six sets against Morgan State.

Jeslyn Spencer (N.C. Central) had career-high 19 kills on her Senior Night to lead NCCU to a 3-1 win over South Carolina State on Friday. Hit .341 for the match while adding eight digs and two blocks assists. She averaged 4.75 kills, 2.0 digs and 0.5 blocks per set for the week.