Volleyball Sweeps NECC Weekly Honors
[Video Interview]
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Mitchell College senior Arianna Thomas and freshman Amanda Garcia were named New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, for the sport of women's volleyball, as announced by the conference on Monday afternoon.
The duo led the Mariners to a pair of shutout victories last week against Curry College and Becker College. Thomas earned player of the week honors for the first time in her career while Garcia garnered rookie honors for the second straight week and third time this season (September 10, 24).
Thomas, an outside hitter and libero, averaged 2.67 kills and 3.83 digs per set for the Mariners last week. She finished with eight kills, 12 assists and 11 digs in the victory in the conference opener against Becker. She also had eight kills and 12 digs in the win over Curry.
Thomas has played in all 11 matches this season and leads Mitchell in digs (168) and service aces (30). The Mariners co-captain also ranks second in the NECC in service aces (0.68) and fifth in digs per set (3.82).
Garcia averaged a team-high 3.67 kills per set and hit .306 last week. She recorded a season-high 15 kills and had only one error (.452) in the NECC opener against Becker, finishing with seven kills and a block in the final set alone to propel the Mariners to victory. She also had seven kills and a block against Curry.
Garcia has started all 11 matches this season and leads Mitchell in kills (78), blocks (25) and hitting percentage (.127). The rookie middle blocker has recorded double-digit kills in three matches thus far and has twice put down six blocks in a contest. She also ranks fourth in the NECC in blocks per set (0.57) and 10th in kills per set (1.77).
Mitchell (4-7 overall, 1-0 NECC) will next host Bay Path College on Tuesday, October 2 at 6 p.m.
