SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- Freshman Alleigh VandeMerkt (Riverside, Ill.) has been named as the Commonwealth Coast Conference Rookie of the Week for the second straight week. This marks the third consecutive week that an Endicott player has taken home the award.
VandeMerkt, a setter, continued her successful campaign as the Gulls took on an extremely tough schedule over the last week. Endicott traveled to Hartford, Conn. to take on a Trinity squad that is ranked #11 in New England in the most recent NEWVA poll. VandeMerkt was able to tally 16 assists and three aces as the Gulls fell 0-3.
Following the loss to Trinity, Endicott geared up for their annual trip and traveled to Chicago, Ill. to take on Wheaton, the University of Chicago and Elmhurst. On Friday, the Gulls played at Wheaton. Alleigh VandeMerkt, and Illinois native, got her homecoming trip off in a strong way as she was able to record a double-double by recording 18 assists and 10 digs in the tight three set loss. Saturday proved to be an ever tougher test as Endicott journeyed to the University of Chicago to play two nationally ranked programs. Against the University of Chicago, ranked #13 in the most recent AVCA poll, VandeMerkt had an impressive 29 assists and six digs as the Gulls grabbed a set in the 1-3 loss. The set won by Endicott marked the highest ranking team that Endicott has ever taken a set from. Immediately following that four set loss, Endicott took on Elmhurst who is currently ranked #9 in the most recent AVCA poll. The Gulls fought hard but ultimately fell 3-0. VandeMerkt was able to register 11 assists and five digs in the loss.
On the week, VandeMerkt was able to record 74 assists which was good enough for an average of 5.69 assists per set.
The Gulls now embark on another tough week as they play host to Gordon and Salem State on Thursday starting at 6:00 p.m. for the battle of the North Shore Cup. On Saturday, Endicott travels to the UMass Boston tournament to take on regional power UMass Boston, regionally ranked #8 Tufts, nationally ranked #23 Southwestern (TX) and nationally ranked #5 Christopher Newport.
