NORFOLK, Va. - (Nov. 6, 2023) - N.C. Central’s Emmie Modlin was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Players of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Delaware State’s Ella Sanders was named Rookie of the Week, while N.C. Central’s Bella Dearinger earned Setter of the Week honors, respectively. Howard’s Claire Simpson was named the Defensive Player of the Week.
Modlin (So., OH, Pinehurst, N.C.) averaged 4.78 kills per set with a .343 hitting percentage on the week. She posted 21 kills in a four-set victory over UMES on Friday and followed with a second 20+ kill performance putting down 22 kills in a five-set match against defending MEAC champion Delaware State on Sunday, setting a new career-high in kills. Modlin averaged 2.11 digs per set, including 11 digs against DSU for her fifth double-double of the season.
Sanders (Fr., OH, Albuquerque, N.M.) totaled 19 kills on the weekend averaging 2.71 kills per set with two assists, two service aces, three blocks, and 17 digs. She collected a double-double in the five-set victory over N.C. Central with 15 kills and 12 digs.
Dearinger (Jr., S, Muncie, Ind.) averaged 9.11 assists and 2.56 digs per set in NCCU's two matches last week. She posted a new career-high in assists with 46 in Friday's four-set victory over UMES while chipping in four kills, 10 digs, two aces and two blocks. Dearinger followed with 36 assists and 13 digs as well as two kills in the five-set thriller against the reigning MEAC champs in Delaware State.
Simpson (So., L, Plainfield, Ill.) averaged 4.09 digs per set over 11 sets played. She tallied 16 digs and five assists against UMBC and racked up 23 digs and three assists in the five-set win over then undefeated Coppin State.
Other Top Performers
Geraldyn Palacios (CSU) eight total blocks (four in each match) against Norfolk State and at Howard. Also, tallied four blocks in three sets against Le Moyne.
TaKenya Stafford (CSU) averaged 2.82 kills/set and 3.09 digs/seton the week. Recorded back-to-back double-doubles against NSU (15 kills & 11 digs) and Howard (10 kills & 17 digs).
Rya McKinnon (HOW) recorded a double-double in the five-set win over Coppin State.
Jourdan Page (MSU) helped Morgan State to a 1-1 week averaging 3.00 kills, while hitting .311 on the weekend. Finished with a team-high 18 kills, 10 digs and two service aces over two games including eight kills and two digs at Howard and a team-high 10 kills, eight digs and two service aces in win over Norfolk State.
Coco Figueroa (CSU) tallied 12 digs and two aces in four-set win over Norfolk with 13 digs and one ace at Howard.
Gabrielle Gilbert (NSU) amassed 23 kills, 16 digs, two blocks, and two assists in two matches this weekend. Posted a 14-kill, 10-dig double-double on Friday at Coppin State and recorded nine kills on Sunday against Morgan State.
Jada Williams (MSU) hit .556 for the week, recording 11 kills, six blocks, including one solo and two digs to help Morgan to a 1-1 week.
Andrea Tsvetanova (CSU) accumulated back-to-back double-doubles against Norfolk State and Howard. Put up 50 assists, 10 digs, two blocks and three kills in just four sets vs. Spartans. Had 31 assists with 12 digs and season high three blocks vs. Howard.
Kayla Diaz (HOW) notched a double-double 42 assists and 18 digs in the five-set win over Coppin State (Nov. 5).
Trinity Carruthers (MSU) averaged 6.17 assists to help the Bears to a 1-1 week. Tallied 37 assists, nine digs, a kill, a service ace and a block on the weekend. Collected 31 assists, a kill, eight digs and a block in the win over Norfolk State.