WINTHROP, Mass. – Simmons College women's volleyball player Emmee Ashby (Payson, Ariz.) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week it was announced by the league today. The award marks the second time she has earned the accolade. She was the league's top rookie of the week of September 22-28 as well. 

In three matches, the first year averaged 3.2 kills per set with a .290 hitting percentage for the week. The middle blocker began the week with 14 kills and a .409 hitting mark to go with a dig and a pair of blocks in four sets at Rivier University on October 7. She capped the week with seven kills and a .250 hitting effort in a 3-0 win over York College (N.Y.) on October 11 and followed that match with 11 kills and a .208 attack percentage at Albertus Magnus College in a 3-0 win for a tri-match sweep. 

The Payson High School product has established herself as one of the top offensive players in the conference, leading all rookies in points per set (3.31), kills per set (2.89) and attack percentage (.267), while ranking in the top five among all league players, placing second, third and fifth in kills, points and percentage, respectively. Ashby is one of three players to play every set for the Sharks and has been the team's most consistent attacker with nine or more kills in eight of her last nine matches, while hitting .208 or better in each of those outings. The middle has been a factor on the defensive side as well with 0.51 blocks per set to rank second on the team and has recorded multiple blocks on nine occasions. 

Simmons is currently 5-13 on the season, including a 4-2 mark in league play to place it fifth in the GNAC standings. The Sharks will take the court again on Thursday, October 16 when they host Emerson College in Moore Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m.