Newport News, Va. – Fordham volleyball standout freshmen
Isabel Fichtel and
Whitley Moody have each earned an Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honor this season after just two weeks of competition. This past Friday, the Rams defeated George Mason in four sets to begin conference play with three straight wins for the first time in program history. As a result, Fichtel was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Week and Moody was named Rookie of the Week for the second straight week.
Fichtel currently leads all of Division I with 2.06 blocks per set, the anchor of a defense that is also leading the country in blocks per set, at 3.36. The San Antonio, Texas native paces the squad with 33 total blocks, two solo, and is also second with 39 kills, hitting .252 and averaging 2.44 per frame. Against George Mason on Friday, they blocked eight attacks, adding 12 kills.
"Well deserved for them." Head coach
Ian Choi said, "Izzy has been a force at the net since they've stepped on campus. They're one of those rare athletes who can take feedback and make adjustments instantly, a great athlete to work with."
Moody tossed up season-highs of 18 kills, 18 digs, and three aces, plus four blocks, against Mason on Friday. She has been fantastic to begin her Fordham career, leading the Rams with 64 kills, an even 4.0 per set, and hitting .243. She's adding 51 digs (3.19 per set), 13 blocks (0.81), and five aces (0.31). She is 50
th nationally with 4.72 points per set and 67
th with 4.0 kills per set.
"Whitley continues to grind here at Rose Hill and push the competitive culture in our gym and it shows with her second accolade in two weeks."
This is the first time two different Rams have earned Rookie of the Week awards since 2015 and just the third time overall. Fichtel is also just the sixth Ram to win Defensive honors in program history and first since
Morgan Williams in 2019. The Rams are 3-1 overall and 3-0 in league play to begin the season. Fordham will host Rhode Island this Wednesday at 6 p.m. before heading to La Salle for two matches this weekend.
"I'm happy for them as individuals, but I'm especially proud of the team. The team paves the road for individuals to thrive."
