WEEKLY HONORS

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jessica Frannea, Northeastern

Sophomore | Setter | Cypress, Texas / Bridgeland HS

Frannea paced the Huskies’ offense in a 2-0 weekend, racking up 102 assists for an average of 11.33 per set. 

On Saturday, the sophomore setter tallied a career-high 58 assists with 11 digs for her fifth double-double this season, while adding three blocks and one service ace in a five-set victory over Stony Brook. With the performance, Frannea surpassed 1,000 assists in her career. 

On Sunday, she recorded 44 assists, nine digs, two blocks and one service ace as the Huskies secured the weekend sweep over the Seawolves.   

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Chiara Cucco, Hofstra

Sophomore | Libero | Buscate, Italy / Liceo Scientifico Donato Bramante

Cucco led a defensive effort that helped the Pride extend its winning streak to 12 matches, recording 5.00 digs per set in a 2-0 weekend. 

The sophomore libero tallied 40 digs and posted a .934 reception percentage, helping limit Delaware to a .115 team hitting percentage over two matches. 

Cucco recorded match-high honors in both contests, with 21 digs Sunday after 19 on Saturday.

1️⃣, 2️⃣, 3️⃣❗

Cucco Captures @CAASports Honor For Third Time - https://t.co/gUywZJpe2V#PrideOfLI pic.twitter.com/tISNBFXNkS

— Hofstra Volleyball (@HofstraVB) October 24, 2022

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Brooke Doherty, Elon

Freshman | Outside Hitter | Holly Springs, North Carolina / Holly Springs HS

Doherty had the best weekend of her freshman campaign, averaging 3.56 kills per set on a .264 hitting percentage in a weekend split against Charleston. 

On Sunday, the freshman outside hitter led the match with a season-best 22 kills, hitting .255 with four digs and two blocks in a five-set victory. 

On Saturday, Doherty had 10 kills, hitting .280, and recorded three digs with one block, despite a setback for the Phoenix. It marks the first time Doherty has recorded double-figure kills in back-to-back matches this season.

𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩❗

12 Consecutive Wins; Pride Continues Remarkable Streak - https://t.co/NCOhPKeYfD#PrideOfLI

— Hofstra Volleyball (@HofstraVB) October 23, 2022

CONFERENCE NOTES

HOFSTRA REMAINS UNBLEMISHED 

• Hofstra improved to 12-0 in CAA play as the Pride answered its tallest task thus far. Hofstra earned back-to-back, four-set victories over Delaware, which entered the week third in the CAA standings, three games back of the Pride. 

Hofstra enters its bye week one match shy (13-0) of the program’s best start to CAA play. 

TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE 

• Following the weekend’s results, two teams have secured berths in the eight-team CAA Championship field. 

Hofstra clinched a spot with its victories, while Towson was the beneficiary of securing the right to defend its CAA title. It happened on Towson's bye week. 

On Sunday, the Tigers defeated Chicago State (3-1) in non-conference action.  

STRINGING WINS TOGETHER

• Not only is the Pride off to their best start in CAA play since 2006, but Hofstra’s 12-match winning streak is the sixth-longest in program history. 

In addition, Hofstra’s winning streak is the fifth-longest active winning streak in NCAA DI Volleyball. Only San Diego (15), Yale (14), Wright State (14) and Pittsburgh (13) have won more consecutive matches. 

LONG-JAM IN PROGRESS 

• Much like the parity in the preseason poll indicated, it has been a competitive race in the middle of the CAA standings. Teams 3-9 all have at least four wins and are separated by just 3.0 games in the conference race. 

THREE, TWO, ONE...

• There are three weeks remaining on the CAA schedule. 

This weekend features nine conference matches, with a pair of contests that could impact the conference standings. 

Second-place Towson will host William & Mary, which is tied for third place, and North Carolina A&T will host Northeastern. The Aggies are one game behind the Huskies in the win column. 

TEAM NOTES

Charleston 

• Charleston split a pair of weekend matches against Elon, beating the Phoenix in four sets on Saturday before battling in a five-set defeat on Sunday. 

• Logan Pope had a solid weekend for the Cougars, averaging 2.44 kills and 1.11 blocks per set. Pope tallied 11 kills and a career-high seven blocks in the Charleston victory. She also reached double-figure kills on Sunday with 11. 

• Anna Smith turned in her second career double-double with 11 kills and 12 digs in the victory on Saturday. She followed the performance with eight kills and 14 digs in the effort on Sunday. 

Delaware 

• Delaware suffered a pair of setbacks against Hofstra over the weekend. The Blue Hens fell in four sets to the Pride in both matchups on Long Island.  

• Savannah Seemans led the way for the Blue Hens with 27 kills (3.38 per set) and 18 digs (2.25 per set). She nearly missed a pair of double-doubles with 12 kills and nine digs Saturday, followed by a match-high 15 kills and nine digs Sunday. 

• Lani Mason added her 10th double-double this fall, recording 13 kills and 10 digs in the opening match of the weekend. She totaled 22 kills (2.75 per set) and 20 digs (2.22 per set) for the weekend. 

Elon 

• Elon went 1-1 against Charleston, falling to the Cougars in four sets Saturday, but bounced back for a five-set victory Sunday. The win marks the first time in program history Elon has beaten Charleston at home. 

• Brooke Doherty had a big weekend for the Phoenix, recording double-figure kills in both matches. On Sunday, Doherty tallied a career-best 22 kills in the Elon victory. She added 10 kills in the setback Saturday.  

• On Sunday, Haylie Clark recorded her third career triple-double. She tallied 30 assists, 13 digs and 10 kills in a winning effort for Elon. It is just the second triple-double in the conference this season. 

Hampton 

• Hampton continued conference play, dropping a pair of matches to William & Mary over the weekend. On Saturday, Hampton fell in four sets before a straight-set defeat Sunday. 

• Gabby Calloway paced the Hampton attack with a team-best 21 kills (3.00 per set). She reached double-figures in both matches, tallying 10 kills Saturday and 11 on Sunday. Calloway now has at least 10 kills in six contests this fall. 

• Kristine Teivane added 17 kills (2.43 per set) and 12 digs (1.71 per set). On Saturday, she posted a team-high 13 kills, reaching double figures for the third time this season.  

Hofstra 

• Hofstra extended its winning streak and improved to 12-0 in CAA play with a pair of wins over Delaware. It marks the best start for the Pride in CAA play and the longest winning streak for the team since 2006. 

• Zyare Abdul-Rahim led the Pride, recording 27 kills (3.38 per set) and 11 blocks (1.38 per set). Abdul-Rahim reached double-figures in both matches with 16 and 11 kills, respectively. With her performance on Sunday, she surpassed 500 career kills. 

• Chiara Cucco paced the Hofstra backline, recording 40 digs (5.00 per set). Her 21 digs Sunday and 19 on Saturday were both match-highs. Cucco has at least 10 digs in 21 matches this season, including 19 straight. 

North Carolina A&T

• North Carolina A&T has won four matches in a row following back-to-back five-set victories over UNCW this weekend. 

• Naiya Sawtelle paced North Carolina A&T, recording a double-double in both matches. On Saturday, Sawtelle tallied 16 kills and 10 digs before 18 kills and 13 digs in the weekend finale. She has a double-double in three consecutive matches and seven this fall. 

• Hannah Howell also recorded a pair of double-doubles for the Aggies. Howell opened the series with 12 kills and 14 digs before recording 13 kills and 12 digs Sunday. Howell now has six double-doubles this season, and it was the first time she has done it in back-to-back matches.

UNCW

• UNCW dropped back-to-back contests against North Carolina A&T over the weekend, battling the Aggies in a pair of five-set matches. 

• Annabelle Schall posted a double-double in both matches, marking her seventh and eighth this season. Schall recorded 36 assists and 13 digs on Saturday, followed by 30 assists and 10 digs on Sunday. 

• Ashley Thomas recorded a team-high 35 digs (3.50 per set) for the Seahawks. Thomas reached double-figures in both matches, including a career-high 24 digs in the weekend finale. She has at least 10 digs on four occasions this fall. 

Northeastern 

• Northeastern won a pair of contests against Stony Brook, edging the Seawolves in five sets  Saturday before a four-set victory in the weekend finale. 

• Jessica Frannea paced the Huskie offense with 11.33 assists per set. She tallied her fifth double-double this season with a career-high 58 assists and 11 digs Saturday. In the process, Frannea surpassed 1,000 assists in her career. 

• Erica Staunton had a stellar weekend on the outside, recording 43 kills (4.78 per set) and 27 digs (3.00 per set). Staunton tallied a pair of double-doubles with over 20 kills and 10 digs in both contests. 

Stony Brook

• Stony Brook dropped back-to-back matches against Northeastern on the road, suffering a five-set defeat Saturday before falling in four sets Sunday. 

• Leoni Kunz paced the Stony Brook attack, recording a team-best 31 kills (3.44 per set). She reached double figures in both contests with 16 and 15 kills, respectively. 

• Julia Patsos led the Seawolves’ defensive effort, tallying 31 digs (3.44 per set). She recorded 17 digs Saturday and 14 on Sunday. Patsos has 10 or more digs in her past six contests.  

Towson 

• Towson captured a four-set victory over Chicago State in non-conference competition to earn its 20th win this season. 

• Aayinde Smith secured the first double-double of her career behind 15 kills and 10 total blocks on a .667 hit percentage. The kill and block totals are both career highs for Smith. 

• Fay Bakodimou registered her first double-double of the season with 16 digs, a career-high, and 11 kills. Bakodimou also surpassed 100 career aces and 100 total blocks in the effort. 

William & Mary

• William & Mary earned a pair of wins over Hampton, defeating the Pirates in four sets Saturday and straight sets Sunday. 

• Eleanor Stothoff led the Tribe with 30 kills (4.29 per set) on a .355 hitting percentage. She recorded double-digit kills in both matches, with 12 and 18, respectively. Stothoff has at least 10 kills in four straight contests.  

• Kaitlyn Ferguson was also effective on the attack, contributing 23 kills (3.29 per set) on a .385 hitting percentage. Ferguson had 12 kills on Saturday and 11 on Sunday, with only three total errors on the weekend.