LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has announced it’s 2021 Volleyball All-Conference team members as well as it’s major award winners. The Conference has announced two All-Conference teams, each with seven players regardless of position. It has also named it’s Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year which are as follows:
Offensive Player of the Year - Karita Lewis (Gallaudet University)
Defensive Player of the Year - Marie Durkota (Penn State Berks)
Rookie of the Year - Emily Wright (Gallaudet University)
Coach of the Year - Jessie Franko (Penn State Berks)
Karita Lewis dominated throughout the entire season, earning her Offensive Player of the Year honors. Lewis’ 369 kills on the season not only ranks second amongst conference players but also ranks 15th across all of Division III. This year, the senior has hit double-digit kills in 21 of her 30 matches played, tallying a season-high 23 in a five-set victory of Penn State Harrisburg. Lewis hasn’t been afraid to play all positions either as her 352 digs rank second among her Bison teammates. The Frederick, Md. garnered some recognition for her paly already, collecting United East Offensive Player of the Week honors in the penultimate week of regular season play.
Marie Durkota was a menace in the back row for opposing players, earning her the title of the United East’s Defensive Player of the Year. The libero racked up 463 digs this season, ranking second in the conference. Consistency was key for Durkota as she reached double-digit digs in 26 of her 31 contests, including a current streak of 23-straight matches. This season the Lancaster, Pa. native recorded a season-high 27 in a 3-0 win over Immaculata University. Durkota has also pitched in on offense as her 43 service aces ranks third on the team. This year, Durkota has also dominated the weekly accolades, winning the United East’s Defensive Player of the Week award five times.
Emily Wright made a splash in her first season of collegiate volleyball, capped by being named the Conference’s Rookie of the Year. Wright was a force at the net, registering 428 kills which was the top in the United East and the 10th most of any player in Division III. Wright used efficiency to aid in the Bison efforts this season as her kills-per-set of 3.86 was the best in the conference and her .271 hitting percentage ranking second. The Auburn Calif. native registered 20-plus kills in five matches this season, while hitting a season-best 32 in a win over Penn State Harrisburg. Wright has been on the United East’s radar all season as she took home Offensive Player of the Week honors three separate times.
Earning the top seed and hosting honors, Franko has earned Coach of the Year honors. Franko guided her team to an undefeated conference record (8-0), while posting an overall record of 17-14. Under her tutelage, four Penn State Berks members received All-Conference honors while the previously mentioned Durkota collected Defensive Player of the Year honors. Franko and her Nittany Lions will also ride a seven-match win streak into the postseason.
Below are the following All-Conference members:
First Team All-Conference
| Kirsten Florio |
SUNY Morrisville |
Outside |
Senior |
| Emily Wright |
Gallaudet University |
Opposite |
Sophomore |
| Karita Lewis |
Gallaudet University |
Outside |
Senior |
| Julia Rathsam |
Penn State Berks |
Setter |
Junior |
| Melanie Sheaffer |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Outside |
Senior |
| Cassie Shoupe |
Penn State Berks |
Outside |
Junior |
| Marie Durkota |
Penn State Berks |
Libero |
Senior |
Second Team All-Conference
| Cassidy King |
Lancaster Bible College |
Outside |
Senior |
| Emily Huppee |
SUNY Morrisville |
Outside |
Sophomore |
| Fatima Bouzid |
St. Mary's College (Md.) |
Setter |
Senior |
| Kayla Zelonka |
Penn State Berks |
Opposite |
Junior |
| Cheyanna Buckingham |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Middle |
Senior |
| Elina Rubinshteyn |
Gallaudet University |
Opposite |
Senior |
| Brianna Gates |
SUNY Morrisville |
Outside |
Freshman |
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The United East has nine NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Gallaudet University, Lancaster Bible College, Morrisville State, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Wells College. The United East also includes three associate members in the sport of men’s golf including Rosemont College, Rutgers University – Camden and Wilson College. The United East has also partnered with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in the sports of men's and women's lacrosse and the North Atlantic Conference in men's tennis and women's tennis. For more information, please visit: gounitedeast.com.