Sept. 27, 2010

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - University of Maryland Eastern Shore redshirt senior Samantha Chukwura (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and freshman Kaveinga Lea'Aetoa (Salt Lake City, Utah) were named MEAC Player and Co-Rookie of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Chukwura, a 5-foot-9 middle blocker, averaged 3.00 kills per set in helping the Hawks to a 3-1 mark at the NCCU Tournament last weekend. Chukwura hit .465 with 39 kills and six errors in 71 total attacks.

Chukwura's best individual effort came in a 3-1 victory against Hampton to open the tournament. She hit .500 from the floor on 11 kills and one error in 20 attacks. Chukwura also collected 1.5 blocks and two digs versus the Lady Pirates.

Lea'Aetoa, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, earned Rookie of the Week honors for the second consecutive week after hitting .281 with 40 kills, seven aces, 1.5 blocks and four digs.

Lea'Aetoa went error-free against Hampton with 15 kills, compiling a .652 percentage. She also tallied a career-high four aces in a sweep on South Carolina State in the event. For the weekend, she averaged 3.08 kills and 0.54 aces per game.

The sweep of the weekly honors marks the second time in 2010 UMES has accomplished the feat. Zoe Bowens (Long Beach, Calif.) and Maline Vaitai (Salt Lake City, Utah) took MEAC Rookie and Player of the Week plaudits, respectively, on Sept. 13.

UMES (8-9), winner of seven of its last nine matches, hosts the UMES Hawk Invitational at the William P. Hytche Athletic Center Friday and Saturday. The Hawks play North Carolina Central Friday at 7 p.m. and North Carolina A&T (9:30 a.m.) and Norfolk State (5 p.m.) Saturday.