Oct. 3, 2011

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Freshman Saitaua Iosia (Long Beach, Calif.) has been named the Peninsula Regional Medical Center University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athlete of the Week for the week of October 3. This award marks the sixth honor she has received this season as she collected the same award on Sept. 12 and has been named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's Rookie of the Week each of the past four weeks.

Iosia's efforts played a big role for the UMES volleyball team (9-6) this week as the Hawks won three consecutive games en route to being named champions of the UMES Hawk Invitational. For the weekend, the freshman tallied 47 kills, 16 digs and six blocks. Her best performance came against California State University, Bakersfield in the championship game on Saturday night when she ripped a tournament-high 25 kills and made nine digs.

The freshman has been on a tear to begin the season as she leads the Hawks in three statistical categories and stands among the highest in several others. Iosia leads UMES in kills (246), kills per set (4.10) and service aces (26). She also stands second in digs (153) and is third in blocks (31).

The UMES volleyball team opens up its MEAC schedule on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. when the Hawks host Delaware State University at the William P. Hytche Center.