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.
The honor marks the third time this season that Ashby has been named the GNAC's top weekly newcomer and the second time she has been tabbed by the ECAC. She was also named September 22-28 for both and last week for the GNAC.
The first year put together the best all-around week of her collegiate career, averaging 4.96 points on 3.69 kills, 0.77 aces and 0.92 blocks per set, while owning a stellar .353 hitting percentage in 13 sets over three matches. She also got down for 1.15 digs per set. The middle blocker began the week by putting away 19 kills on a robust .438 hitting mark to go with four aces, three total blocks, including a solo and three digs in the Sharks' 3-2 victory over Emerson College on October 16. She was back on the court just two days later vs. Norwich University on October 18 and put down seven kills behind a .368 attack rate to along with a career-best five service aces and added five digs and three block assists in Simmons' 3-0 win. The Payson HS product capped the day just a hours later with a personal-high 22 kills on a .294 hitting percentage and also registered a career-high six block assists and seven digs in addition to an ace to lead the Sharks to a 3-2 triumph over Saint Joseph's College (Maine).
Ashby is one of just two players on the team to play in all 78 sets in 21 matches, while leading the squad with 3.58 points and 3.03 kills per set. She also tops the team with 45 total blocks, including 12 solos and an efficient .284 hitting percentage. The rookie is among the league leaders in kills per set (second), points per set (third) and attack percentage (fifth). Ashby has been extremely consistent as an offensive weapon for Simmons, recording seven or more kills in all but three matches and has spiked for double-digits on 13 occasions, while hitting over .200 in 13 straight outings. The front row player was also named the Eastern College Athletic Conference New England Rookie of the Week for the week of September 22-28.
The Sharks have won five straight matches, including four in league play and are 8-3 in their last 11 tilts as part of an 8-13 overall record, including 6-2 in GNAC action. Simmons is currently fourth in the conference standings and will be in action again on Thursday, October 23 when it crosses the street to take on league rival Emmanuel College at 7:00 p.m. at the Jean Yawkey Center in Boston, Mass.