LATHAM, N.Y. - TThe United East conference has announced its 2023 Women’s Volleyball All-Conference Teams for the Skye Division. The All-Conference Teams are made up of seven student-athletes comprising five attacking players, one setter, and one libero.. Four major awards have been handed out including Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
Notre Dame of Maryland University led the way with 5 individuals on the All-Conference teams, including the Defensive Player of the Year. Cedar Crest College and Keystone College each had four members on the All-Conference teams, respectively, including the Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year. Seven separate institutions are represented across the three All-Conference teams.
Major Award Winners
Player of the Year - Ava Grapsy (Cedar Crest College)
Defensive Player of the Year - Paulina Hernandez (Notre Dame of Maryland University)
Rookie of the Year - Taylor Hallam (Keystone College)
Coach of the Year - Maegen Eddinger (Keystone College)
Cedar Crest Setter/Right Side Ava Grapsy (Sr. / Macungie, Pa.) has been named the 2023 United East Player of the Year - Skye Division after leading the Falcons to an unbeaten conference season and a Skye Division regular season championship. In 2021, Grapsy was named both the CSAC Player and Rookie of the Year, and followed up in 2022 with a First Team All-Conference nod. The 2023 season brought a similar level of performance for both Grapsy and the Falcons. The now, three-time First Team All-Conference honoree finished Top 10 in the United East in Total Points (10th; 271), Points per Set (7th; 3.27), and Total Kills (9th; 216) while directing the Skye-leading offense to 16.77 Points per Set average. Graspy also finished the season ranked 9th in all of NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball with 4 triple doubles and was named United East Offensive Player of the Week for September 12, 2023. .
Paulina Hernandez (Sr. / El Paso, Tx.) finishes an impressive career for Notre Dame of Maryland University after being named the 2023 United East Defensive Player of the Year - Skye Division. The libero/outside hitter led the Gators to another successful season finishing 16-10 overall (8-1 Skye Division) and a 2-seed in the United East Tournament. Hernandez finished 3rd in the United East in Total Digs (469) while being ranked 2nd in Digs per Set (5.15) and leading the United East in Total Aces (26) during league play. Nationally, Hernandez’s numbers have her in the Top 75 in all of NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball with Service Aces (24th; 67), Aces per Set (30th; 0.71), Digs per Set (54th; 5.15), and Total Digs (75th). Hernandez was named United East Defensive Player of the Week four separate times this year and seven times overall in her career.
Keystone College middle blocker Taylor Hallam (FY / Harrisburg, Pa.) had a strong debut season enroute to being named the 2023 United East Rookie of the Year - Skye Division. This season, led the Giants to the Skye Division playoffs, a 15-10 overall record and a 7-2 Skye Division mark. Hallam’s strong season saw her finish Top 10 in the United East in the following categories: Points per Set (6th; 3.28), Kills (10th; 187), Blocks (9th; 54), Blocks per Set (9th; 0.54), Aces (5th; 54), and Aces per Set (7th; 0.64). Nationally, Hallam is 49th with 0.67 Aces per Set and 52nd with Total Aces. Hallam was named United East Offensive Player of the Week for the week ending September 25th.
Maegen Eddinger has been voted United East Coach of the Year - Skye Division after guiding Keystone to an 15-10 (7-2 Skye Division) overall record and a top 3 finish in 2023. The Giants increased their overall win total this year from 13 to 15 and, over the course of Coach Eddinger’s three seasons at the helm, have established themselves as a consistent contender in the league. Additionally, four players were awarded All-Conference honors including the Rookie of the Year.
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
SECOND TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
THIRD TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram - gounitedeast | Twitter - @GoUnitedEast
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.