LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East conference has announced its 2023 Women’s Volleyball All-Conference Teams for the Volt 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.
Both Gallaudet University and Lancaster Bible College had four members of the All-Conference team apiece, respectively, including the Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year. Penn State Harrisburg had three members named to the All-Conference team while the Rookie of the Year represents Penn State Abington.
Major Award Winners
Player of the Year - Ella Gamble (Gallaudet University)
Defensive Player of the Year - Leah Helman (Lancaster Bible College)
Rookie of the Year - Jayla Hickey (Penn State Abington)
Coach of the Year - Lynn Ray Boren (Gallaudet University)
Gallaudet University setter Ella Gamble (Jr / Cullowhee, N.C.) was named the 2023 United East Player of the Year - Volt Division after leading the Bison to an unbeaten conference regular season, a Volt Division regular season championship, and a 28-3 regular season. The transfer made an immediate impact in 2023 winning United East Player of the Week five separate times and controlling the league’s most explosive offense as the Bison posted their best regular-season winning percentage (.903) under head coach Lynn Ray Boren’s 18 seasons. Gamble ranks nationally across all of NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball in the following categories: Total Assists (2nd; 1,127), Service Aces (2nd; 86), Assists per Set (15th; 9.97), and Aces per Set (16th; 0.76).
Leah Helman (Jr / Waynesboro, Pa.) had a big junior season for Lancaster Bible and was named the 2023 United East Defensive Player of the Year - Volt Division; a repeat of her 2022 United East Defensive Player of the Year honor. In 2023, Helman was a constant for the Chargers, leading them to a 5-1 conference record and a Volt Division finals appearance. The junior libero topped the conference in Total Digs (539) including a 31-dig performance against Arcadia on October 7th. Helman also had 8 aces in a match against Alfred State on September 2. Nationally, Helman ranks 33rd in Total Digs (539), 57th in Total Aces (58), and 60th in Digs per Set (5.08). Helman was awarded the United East Defensive Player of the Week three times during the 2023 season.
Jayla Hickey ( FY / Tampa, Fl. ) had a strong debut season for Penn State Abington en route to being named the 2023 United East Rookie of the Year - Volt Division. This season, Hickey led the Nittany Lions to their fourth-ever postseason appearance and the team’s first since 2019. Hickey also was a Top 10 performer in the United East in the following categories: Total Kills (8th; 220), Total Points (9th; 277), Points per Set (9th; 3.22), and Hitting Percentage (9th; .223).
Lynn Ray Boren has been voted United East Coach of the Year - Volt Division after guiding the Bison to an unbeaten conference regular season, a Volt Division regular season championship, and a 28-3 regular season. The Bison topped the league by averaging 17.59 points per set while hitting .220 and limiting their opponents to a .099 hitting percentage. Additionally, four members of the program were awarded All-Conference honors including the Player of the Year.
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
SECOND 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.