Volleyball | 10/21/2024 5:00:00 PM

NORFOLK, Va. Oct. 21, 2024 – Howard’s Rya McKinnon was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola. Delaware State's Paige Ahakuleo was named Rookie of the Week, while Howard’s Leah Reeves and Coppin State’s Coco Figueroa received Setter and Defensive Player of the Week accolades, respectively.
 
McKinnon (Jr., OH, Hoover, Ala.) led the Bison with 14 kills on 27 attempts (4.67 avg.) with an impressive .444 hitting percentage in the win over Norfolk State. McKinnon also contributed eight digs to finish the afternoon.
 
Ahakuleo (Fr., S, Winchester, Va.) tallied 19 assists, averaging 6.33 assists per set, while contributing one ace, two digs, and one kill to help lead the Hornets in a three-set sweep over UMES.

Reeves (Jr., S, Allen, Texas) registered 40 assists (13.33 avg.) with four digs, two kills and one block in Howard’s win over Norfolk State.
 
Figueroa (So., L/DS, Bayamon, Puerto Rico) recorded 34 digs over two games with seven assists and one ace. She tallied a career-high 22 digs against Morgan State averaging 5.5 per set in the match and 4.25 on the week.

Other Top Performers
Kahea Carvalho (CSU) registered 56 assists (7.00 avg.) on the week including 33 in the four-set win against Morgan State.
 
TaKenya Stafford (CSU) recorded 18 kills and a season-high 18 digs in the win over Morgan State, posting back-to-back double-doubles as the Eagles went 1-1 on the week.
 
Deviana Walker (CSU) registered 12 kills against Morgan State totaling 19 for the week along with four blocks, five digs and one ace.
 
Gerren Tomlin (DSU) recorded 13 kills (4.33 avg.), 10 digs (3.33 avg.), and a career-high nine aces (3.0 avg.) in the Hornets’ three-set sweep over Maryland Eastern Shore.
 
Claire Simpson (HOW) led the Bison with 10 digs (3.33.avg.) and six assists (2.0 avg.) with one ace to complete a strong performance.
 
Ranyla Griggs (UMES) led the Hawks with 11 kills in the loss to Delaware State.
 
Gabrielle Gilbert (NSU) registered 19 kills, five blocks, two aces and eight digs in a 1-1 week for the Spartans.
 
Jasmine Mataira (NSU) – totaled four assists, four aces, and 15 digs over two matches, showcasing her defensive skills and playmaking ability despite not registering any kills during the week.
 
Sydney McCree (NSU) amassed 62 assists (8.86 avg.) through two matches with 11 digs, three kills and two aces in a 1-1 week for Norfolk State.
 
Lily Rose-Pichon (NSU) totaled 31 digs (4.25 avg.) over two matches including 25 in the three-set victory against Hampton.
 
Bella Dearinger (NCCU) tallied 32 assists and seven digs in the Eagles' victory over the S.C. State Bulldogs.
 
Gabriela Felix-Baeza (NCCU) collected 14 digs (4.67 avg.) with two service aces in a three-set sweep over S.C. State.
 
Kamren Harper (NCCU) averaged 3.67 kills with 11 total in the three-set victory over S.C. State.