LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has announced its 2022 Volleyball All-Conference Teams as well as its Major Award winners of the 2022 season. The All-Conference teams are made up of seven student-athletes, regardless of position. Four major awards have also been handed out including Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year.
MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Offensive Player of the Year - Emily Huppee (SUNY Morrisville)
Defensive Player of the Year - Leah Helman (Lancaster Bible College)
Rookie of the Year- Riley Kovach (Penn State Berks)
Coach of the Year - Fred Wallace (SUNY Morrisville)
Emily Huppee dominated in her second year as a Mustang, topping the conference in nearly every offensive statistic. The outside hitter piled up a league-leading 456 kills which also ranks fifth in all of Division III. Huppee was racking up those kills at an impressive clip too, posting a hitting percentage of .340 which ranks second in the conference. The Liberty Hill, Texas native also pitched in at the service line, collecting a 54 service aces which was the most on the Mustang squad. One of her top outings came in a non-conference win over Hartwick in which she totaled 28 kills on a .388 hitting percentage. This isn’t the first accolade Huppee has seen this season as she has also been tabbed the United East Offensive Player of the Week four times.
Leah Helman has been a stalwart for the Chargers in the back row this season, leading to her selection as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. The sophomore averages an impressive 5.20 digs per set which tops the United East and ranks 43rd in the country. Helman also tops the conference in total digs as she has accrued 515 on the season. The Chambersburg, Pa. native has eclipsed the 30 dig mark three times this season including a season-high 34 in a win over FDU-Florham. Helman was also named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending on October, 3rd.
Riley Kovach made a big impact in her first year as a Nittany Lion, leading to her being tabbed the conference’s Rookie of the Year. The libero was a crucial player in Penn State Berks’ back row as her 481 digs were second only to this year’s Defensive Player of the year. The libero averaged 4.72 digs per set as she hit double-digit digs in 24 of her 27 contests played. Her top outing came in a thrilling five-set victory over Lancaster Bible as she registered a season-high 35 digs. Kovach earned plenty of recognition throughout the season as she garnered Defensive Player of the Week honors four times.
For the third time in his career at SUNY Morrisville, Fred Wallace has been named the conference’s Coach of the Year. Wallace guided his team to a Regular Season title going a perfect 8-0 in conference matches. Overall, the bench captain saw his Mustangs turn out a 21-7 record, winning nine of those matches in straight sets. This year, Wallace has prided himself on directing a potent offense in which it leads the conference in total kills (1,275) and total assists (1,190). At the conclusion of the season, he also led two players to All-Conference honors including this year’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Check out the All-Conference Teams HERE:
1st Team
| Name |
Instiution |
Year |
Position |
| Emily Huppee |
SUNY Morrisville |
Sophomore |
Outside |
| Emily Wright |
Gallaudet University |
Junior |
Outside |
| Brianna Gates |
SUNY Morrisville |
Junior |
Outside |
| Julia Rathsam |
Penn State Berks |
Senior |
Setter |
| Miah Williamson |
Wells College |
Junior |
Middle |
| Cassie Shoupe |
Penn State Berks |
Senior |
Outside |
| Chloe King |
Lancaster Bible College |
Senior |
Outside |
2nd Team
| Name |
Instiution |
Year |
Position |
| Morgan Fenstermacher |
Lancaster Bible College |
Junior |
Middle |
| Cassidy Perry |
Gallaudet University |
Junior |
Middle |
| Citrine Lummer |
Gallaudet University |
Freshman |
Outside / Opposite |
| Alyssa Snyder |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Senior |
Setter |
| Leah Helman |
Lancaster Bible |
Sophomore |
Libero |
| Anna Ruff |
Penn State Harrisburg |
Senior |
Middle |
| Riley Kovach |
Penn State Berks |
Freshman |
Libero |
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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 Clarks Summit University, Rosemont College, Rutgers University – Camden and Wilson College. Clarks Summit University is also an associate member in the sport of men’s tennis. The United East has also partnered with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in the sports of men's and women's lacrosse. For more information, please visit: gounitedeast.com