LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East conference has announced its Athletes of the Week for February 9, 2026. Today will include Players of the Week from men's and women's basketball as well as men's volleyball.
This week’s selections included contests through Sunday, February 8. A total of six student-athletes from five different member institutions were recognized for their performances.
Men’s Volleyball
Offensive Player of the Week
Zachary Bippus / SO / Gallaudet University / Fishers, Ind.
Gallaudet University sophomore outside hitter Zachary Bippus led the Bison to a 1-1 week as he tallied 33 kills and 29 digs to go with seven aces and three blocks in a home tri-match last Saturday.
This is Bippus' first Player of the Week nod of his career.
Defensive Player of the Week
Nicholas Marion / JR / Lancaster Bible College / Sao Paulo, Brazil / Divina Providencia
Marion was a defensive standout for the Chargers as they battled through three tough oppoenents this week. The junior started with an 11-dig game against nationally-ranked Messiah (#8) before adding six more digs against Division I opponent Roberts Wesleyan University. He'd then achieve his eighth double-digit dig match of the season as he tacked on 11 more in a win over Geneva on Saturday.
This is Marion's second Player of the Week nod of the year and his third all time (02/02/26, 03/31/25).
Men’s Basketball
Offensive Player of the Week
JoJo Kelly / SR / Penn State Abington / Philadelphia, Pa. / Strawberry Mansion
Senior JoJo Kelly scored a program record 47 points in the team's victory against Gallaudet on Saturday. Kelly's 47-point performance set a new single game record breaking a 10-year mark by former standout Dequan Jackson who scored 40 points at Wells College on Jan. 17, 2016. Kelly also broke Jackson's single game record for most field goals in a game after shooting 17-of-31 from the field. Jackson drained 16 field goals during his 40-point outburst. In addition, Kelly's 47 points are the most scored by any player in the United East this year and is the seventh most scored points in all of Division III this season.
This is Kelly's first ever Player of the Week nod.
Defensive Player of the Week
Jalen Bowie / SR / Wilson College / Frederick, Md. / Frederick
Bowie led Wilson's defensive efforts as it went 2-0 which included handing Lancaster Bible just its second conference loss of the season. Bowie averaged 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, and 2.5 steals between the two contests to help elevate the Phoenix's playoff chances. Against the Chargers, he blocked three shots, pulled in four rebounds, and made two steals. He followed up with a double-double on Saturday which included 13 rebounds, four more blocks, and three steals. Offensively he was solid with 11 points against LBC and 15 more against Keystone.
This is Bowie's fourth Player of the Week nod (02/02/26, 01/05/26, 12/15/25)
Women’s Basketball
Offensive Player of the Week
Naila Newman / SR / Penn State Abington / Rockville, Md. / Rockville
Senior Naila Newman averaged 19 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 6.5 steals per game as Penn State Abington went 2-0 on the week against conference opponents to increase its season-long winning streak to seven games. Newman highlighted the week with her first career triple-double in the team's victory at Penn State Berks. She finished the game with 16 points (6-10 FG), 11 assists and 10 steals. She followed that up with a season-high 22 points in the win over Gallaudet University. Newman also added nine assists, five rebounds and three steals.
This is Newman's first weekly accolade of the her career.
Defensive Player of the Week
Olivia Liszt / JR / St. Mary's College of Maryland / Baltimore, Md. / Mercy
Olivia Liszt poured in a game-best 22 points while collecting five rebounds (three defensive), three steals, one assist and one block in a 78-47 win over Penn State Harrisburg to begin the week. Liszt then scored a game-high 13 points plus added seven boards (six defensive), three steals and two assists in a 64-49 road victory over Notre Dame. She ended the three-game week with 18 points, career-bests of eight assists and eight steals, and six caroms (three defensive) in a 100-15 road win over Valley Forge. Liszt finished with a 58.8-field goal percentage, including 4-of-10 from downtown, while going 9-of-12 from the charity stripe.
This is Liszt's first ever weekly accoalde.
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The United East boasts 14 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.