League Release
Newport News, Va. – Fresh off returning home from an eight-match road stretch to post its first two Atlantic 10 conference victories this past weekend, the Fordham volleyball team's underclassmen duo of
Kaitlin Morley and
McKenna Lahr have today been announced as this week's A-10 Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively. The award is Morley's first and Lahr's second.
"Kaitlin and McKenna had great performances this weekend, both offensively and defensively, and took advantage of their opportunities as we were able to run a balanced offense," head coach
Gini Ullery-Shrift said, "It was a good weekend of growth from the whole team."
Morley, who's season began slowly due to a preseason injury, has enjoyed a scorching hot run of form in recent weeks, including four consecutive double-digit kill performances to begin league play. After posting 13 kills each at Davidson and VCU last weekend, the sophomore outside hitter helped Fordham down both George Mason and George Washington at home this weekend with terrific two-way performances. Against the Patriots on Friday night, Morley set a new personal-best with 16 kills at an ultra-efficient .435 clip to go with two aces and six digs. Over four sets against the Colonials on Sunday, Morley added 15 kills (.250) with a season-high three aces and 13 digs. For the week, Morley averaged 4.43 kills, 2.71 digs, and 0.71 aces per set.
Lahr was also vital to the cause this weekend, putting in two terrific two-way performances. The freshman outside hitter tossed up a double-double with 11 kills (.222) and a match-high 15 digs against George Mason on Friday night, falling short of her career-high in the latter by one dig, and adding an assist, an ace, and a block. Lahr turned it up on Sunday afternoon with a career-high, and match-high, 19 kills (.324) and also served up a personal-best five aces, to boot. Defensively, Lahr racked up eight digs and posted a career-high three blocks, for a combined point total of 25.5.
The pair's combined eight aces were also instrumental in helping the squad match a school single-game record with 18 aces, in both overall sets and four-set matches, against George Washington. Lahr's 26 aces and 0.63 aces per set rank 36th and fourth in the country, respectively.
Olivia Fairchild, who has 39 aces, and 26 over her last six matches, ranks second in the nation.
Fordham remains at home this weekend to host Dayton and Saint Louis on back-to-back days. First up are the Flyers on Friday night at 7 p.m.
