Ashby Named GNAC and ECAC New England Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week

WINTHROP, Mass. - Simmons College women's volleyball player Emmee Ashby (Payson, Ariz.) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference and Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Rookie of the Week for the week of September 22-27, it was announced today by the league. WINTRHOP Mass. ? Simmons College women's volleyball player Emmee Ashby (Payson, Ariz.) was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference New England and Great Northeast Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week, it was announced by both leagues. WINTHROP, Mass. ? Simmons College women?s volleyball player Emmee Ashby (Payson, Ariz.) was named the Eastern College Athletic Conference New England and Great Northeast Athletic Conference Women?s Volleyball Rookie of the Week, it was announced by both leagues. Ashby was tabbed for the third straight week and has earned the honor a league-high four times for the GNAC. She also earned the award for the week of September 22-28. The award marks the third time she has been selected by the ECAC.
Posted: Sep 29, 2014

WINTHROP, Mass. - Simmons College women's volleyball player Emmee Ashby (Payson, Ariz.) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference and Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Rookie of the Week for the week of September 22-27, it was announced today by the league.

In three matches and 14 sets, the first year averaged 3.82 points per set, including 3.0 kills and 0.64 blocks per frame. The middle blocker also fired four aces for the week and added three digs, while owning a .364 hitting percentage. Ashby put away 11 or more kills in all three matches and hit no lower than .308 in any contest. A graduate of Payson High School, she began the week with 11 kills on a .308 hitting mark  to go with an ace, a dig and a career-high six total blocks, including three solos at Brandeis University on September 23. Ashby capped the week by helping the Sharks to a conference tri-match sweep of Anna Maria College and Johnson & Wales University on September 27. The six-foot Ashby spiked for 13 kills, fueled by a .323 hitting percentage, and added two solo blocks and a pair of digs in Simmons' 3-1 win over Anna Maria. She saved her best for last with a personal-best 18 kills on a formidable .452 attack percentage in addition to a block solo and three aces that helped key the Sharks' comeback in a 3-2 victory over Johnson & Wales.

The rookie has been one of the top offensive players in the GNAC all season, leading all first-year players with 2.73 kills and 3.2 points per set, which ranks third overall among conference leaders. She also tops the GNAC first years with an impressive .256 hitting percentage, which is good for sixth among all players in the league. Ashby's 0.51 blocks per set is the second-highest mark for Simmons, while placing her 15th in the GNAC. Her offense has become expected with eight double-digit kill efforts in 12 matches and has posted a .300 or better attack percentage five times, including in each of her last four outings. She is the only player on the squad to start every match and has seen action in 45 sets.

The Sharks have won two straight matches and are currently 2-10 on the season, including 2-1 in league play to place third in the GNAC standings. The team returns to the court on September 30 when it heads to Newton, Mass. to take on league foe Lasell College at 7:00 p.m.

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