BETHLEHEM, Pa. – American claimed two Patriot League women’s volleyball weekly awards presented by Credit Union One, while Navy received one, when the League office announced the first set of honors on Tuesday.
American sophomore outside hitter Salme Adeele Hollas was named Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Player of the Week after totaling 52 kills, 22 digs and a .323 hitting percentage in a 3-0 weekend for the Eagles.
Eagles’ sophomore libero Bella Marrero collected Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week after tallying 61 digs, including a career-high 29 against George Washington.
Navy freshman middle blocker Ellen Gundlach earned Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Week after recording 28 kills on a .308 hitting percentage.
Honorable mentions went to American freshman outside hitter Sophie Dufour, Army West Point freshman libero Annette Lee, Colgate junior middle blocker Lal Akin and junior outside hitter Milan Bayless, as well as, Lehigh junior outside hitter Alysia Fingall.
The Patriot League women’s volleyball players of the week are selected in a vote by League head coaches, who are not eligible to vote for their student-athletes.
2025 Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Standings (through Sept. 2)
| School |
PL |
PL Pct. |
Overall |
Overall Pct. |
| American |
0-0 |
.000 |
3-0 |
1.000 |
| Army West Point |
0-0 |
.000 |
2-1 |
.667 |
| Colgate |
0-0 |
.000 |
2-1 |
.667 |
| Lehigh |
0-0 |
.000 |
2-1 |
.667 |
| Navy |
0-0 |
.000 |
2-1 |
.667 |
| Loyola Maryland |
0-0 |
.000 |
1-2 |
.333 |
| Bucknell |
0-0 |
.000 |
0-3 |
.000 |
| Holy Cross |
0-0 |
.000 |
0-3 |
.000 |
| Lafayette |
0-0 |
.000 |
0-3 |
.000 |
ONLINE SCHEDULE |
ONLINE STATS
Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Player of the Week
Salme Adeele Hollas, American, So., Outside Hitter, Tartu, Estonia/Hugo Treffneri Gümnaasium
*Hollas totaled 52 kills, 22 digs and five service aces while hitting .323 in American’s 3-0 weekend, which included victories over George Mason (3-2), Georgetown (3-0) and George Washington (3-1).
*The sophomore posted a double-double Friday with 13 kills and 12 digs at George Mason.
*She followed with 17 kills and a .417 hitting percentage on Saturday against Georgetown, and her 22-kill performance powered the Eagles past George Washington on Sunday.
Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Bella Marrero, American, So., Libero, Burbank, Calif./Campbell Hall
*Marrero totaled 61 digs, 11 assists and two service aces in American’s weekend sweep of George Mason (3-2), Georgetown (3-0) and George Washington (3-1).
*The Preseason Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year recorded a career-high 29 digs against George Washington and leads the Patriot League in digs per set (5.08).
Patriot League Women’s Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Ellen Gundlach, Navy, Fr., Middle Blocker, Chicago, Ill./Loyola Academy
*Gundlach helped Navy to a 2-1 weekend with 28 kills on a .308 hitting percentage to go with five total blocks.
*The freshman posted 12 kills and a .348 hitting percentage in a win over Western Athletic Conference favorite Utah Valley on Friday. She totaled 16 kills and four blocks in a four-set victory over Montana on Saturday.
Honorable Mention
Sophie Dufour, American, Fr. Outside Hitter, Frankfort, Ky./Franklin County
*Dufour registered 41 kills, 25 digs and seven total blocks during American’s weekend sweep of George Mason (3-2), Georgetown (3-0) and George Washington (3-1).
*The freshman recorded a double-double with 19 kills and 11 digs in her collegiate debut and posted 14 kills in the final match.
Annette Lee, Army West Point, Fr., Libero, Temecula, Calif./Great Oak
*Lee, who was named to the Summit Hospitality All-Tournament Team, led the Black Knights with 54 digs and a .969 reception percentage. The freshman posted match highs of 27 digs against Green Bay and 18 digs against Akron in a pair of Army West Point victories.
Lal Akin, Colgate, Jr., Middle Blocker, Istanbul, Turkey/Besiztas
*Akin totaled 18 blocks (three solo, 15 assists) and six kills in Colgate’s 2-1 weekend. The junior had five blocks in a sweep at Northern Colorado and added 10 blocks in a five-set victory over Washington.
Milan Bayless, Colgate, Jr., Outside Hitter, San Diego, Calif./Cathedral Catholic
*Bayless helped lead Colgate to a 2-1 weekend with 36 kills (3.60 per set), eight digs and nine total blocks.
*The Preseason Patriot League Player of the Year had 13 kills on a .367 hitting percentage at Northern Colorado (3-0) and added 18 kills in a five-set win over Washington.
Alysia Fingall, Lehigh, Jr., Outside Hitter, Panama City, Fla./Mosley
*Fingall, who was named to the Bearcat Classic All-Tournament Team, led the Mountain Hawks with 43 kills and a team-best .403 hitting percentage in 2-1 weekend.
*In two victories on Saturday, the junior had 14 kills and seven digs against Fordham (3-0) and 10 kills and nine digs at Binghamton (3-0).
Player of the Week
9.2 – Salme Adeele Hollas, American, So., OH
Defensive Player of the Week
9.2 – Bella Marrero, American, So., L
Rookie of the Week
9.2 – Ellen Gundlach, Navy, Fr. MB
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.