SPORTS

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — In just two career appearances for the Davidson volleyball program, freshman Bella Brady is already making a strong impression, earning the Atlantic 10’s Rookie of the Week honor, the league office announced Monday afternoon.

“Bella has been dialed in since she first stepped foot on campus,” said Head Coach Chris Willis. “I am so proud of her resilience through some tough moments. She is always striving to get better and is incredibly deserving of this honor.”

Hailing from the Sunshine State, Brady has stepped into an immediate impact role for the ‘Cats, starting as the team’s libero for the first two matches of the 2020-21 season. As libero, she helped Davidson open up the year with a three-set sweep over Jacksonville University on Friday, Jan. 22. In her college volleyball debut against the Dolphins, Brady recorded a match-high 17 digs to pair with two service aces. Later that weekend, she set a new career-high with another match-best 19 digs, along with three assists, against the Charlotte 49ers.

The Winter Park, Fla. native currently leads the Atlantic 10, averaging 6.00 digs per set, and is among the top four in the conference with 36 total digs this season. Brady’s 6.00 digs per set average also ranks sixth in the nation, across all of Division I women’s volleyball.

Brady’s honor is the first for the Wildcats since Madeline Wynn earned four Rookie of the Week nods during her freshman season in 2019.

For the Atlantic 10’s official release on this week’s player of the week awards, visit atlantic10.com.