Volleyball | 9/29/2025 4:08:29 PM

NORFOLK, VA - Coppin State’s Ta’Kenya Stafford has been named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Volleyball Player of the Week, the league announced today. Howard’s Alexys James earned Rookie of the Week honors, North Carolina Central’s Manuela Cripa Nasser was recognized as Setter of the Week, and Coppin State’s Kayden Cupid was named Defensive Player of the Week.

Stafford (CSU, R-Sr., OH, Los Angeles, Calif.) powered Coppin State to a 2–0 week, becoming just the fifth player in program history to surpass 1,000 career kills. She recorded a season-high 25 kills, along with 11 digs and four blocks, in a five-set victory at Howard before adding 15 kills on a .500 hitting percentage in a sweep of Norfolk State. For the week, she averaged 5.0 kills and 5.56 points per set.

James (HOW, Fr., S, Henderson, Nev.) notched her first career triple-double with 29 assists, 14 kills and 10 digs in a win over Morgan State. Across the weekend, she totaled 27 kills, 47 assists, 19 digs and eight blocks.

Nasser (NCCU, Gr., S, Sao Paulo, Brazil) directed the Eagles’ offense with 92 assists, 17 digs and nine points over four matches, including 53 assists against Maryland Eastern Shore and 51 versus Delaware State.

Cupid (CSU, So., MH, Supply, N.C.) registered nine blocks and seven kills, including the match-winner, in the five-set victory at Howard, then added three blocks in the sweep of Norfolk State. She finished the week with 12 blocks and one dig.

Other Top Performers

• Isabelle Brown (MSU) averaged 7.8 assists and 1.8 digs per set, highlighted by 43 assists, six kills and four blocks in a five-set loss at Howard.
• Atilano Cherisse (CSU) recorded 16 kills, 22 digs, four aces and two blocks across two wins.
• Andrea Cintrón (CSU) tallied 38 assists, seven digs and five aces over two matches.
• Kate-Linh Eden (UMES) posted 38 assists and five aces, including 26 assists in a win over N.C. Central.
• Daniela Ferreira (MSU) collected 38 kills and 11 digs, including a career-high 23 kills against Howard.
• Gabrielle Gilbert (NSU) contributed 39 kills, 28 digs and three blocks across three matches.
• Kamren Harper (NCCU) totaled 31 kills, 16 digs, two aces and three blocks in a 2-2 week.
• Jayda Hutchins (UMES) registered 33 assists, 19 digs and 11 kills across two matches.
• Loren Johnson (NCCU) recorded 61 digs, two aces and seven assists in four matches.
• Zenai Jethroe (HU) posted 20 kills and eight assisted blocks in two MEAC contests.
• Valaria Matias (UMES) collected 21 digs in two wins while surpassing 1,000 career digs becoming the third Hawk ever to reach the milestone.
• Rya McKinnon (HU) added 22 digs, four block assists and three assists over two matches.
• Sydnee Mcree (NSU) dished out 65 assists in three matches, moving into second on NSU’s all-time list with 2,424 career assists.
• Lilliana Montes (UMES) tallied 25 kills, seven blocks, five digs and four aces, including 14 kills vs. South Carolina State.
• Allyson Rouse (NCCU) registered eight kills, six digs and four total blocks over the weekend.
• Jada Williams (MSU) averaged 1.1 blocks per set while hitting .458, finishing with 22 kills, 10 blocks and five aces in two wins.