UMBC

Sarah Ball was named America East Rookie of the Week.

Boston, Mass. – UMBC volleyball freshman Sarah Ball (Winnipeg, Canada/Sisler) was named America East Rookie of the Week as the rookie outside hitter tallied 3.86 kills per game (kpg) in the first couple weeks of the season.  The first weekly awards reflect all games until the week ending September 4, 2005. 

Ball was named to the George Mason Patriot Invitational all-tournament team after recording 4.62 kpg and 3.23 digs per game (dpg) in the three matches.  Ball recorded three double-doubles in the tournament and has a double-double in all five matches on the season for the Retrievers. 

Against invitational champion Cal Poly, Ball recorded a single-match high of 24 kills to go with 14 digs as the Retrievers took Cal Poly to five sets. Her 24 kills ranked first for a single-match high in the tournament. Ball notched 19 kills and 17 digs against Loyola (Md.) and 17 kills and 11 digs against TCU in other tournament competition.

To open the season in a tri-match at home, Ball scored 11 kills and 16 digs against Northeastern and 14 kills and 11 digs against Villanova.

Ball is hitting .230 with a 3.86 kpg average and is recording 3.14 dpg. The rookie also has eight service aces, 13 total blocks and six assists to start the season.

Ball earned the first weekly conference award for UMBC this season and the first Rookie of the Week award in the America East Conference for the Retrievers. 

Albany's Ashley Hunter and Binghamton's Megan Hoag share the season's first Player of the Week award while Albany's Blair Buchanan was named Setter of the Week.