BALTIMORE, Md. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference named University of Maryland Eastern Shore middle blocker Lilliana Montes to the All-MEAC Second Team, and both setter Jayda Hutchins and hitter Malaysia Shaw to the MEAC All-Rookie Team at the 2025 MEAC Volleyball Banquet. In addition, 12 UMES women's volleyball student-athletes were selected to the All-Academic team
The middle blocker from Murrieta, California, played in 24 matches, tallying 182 kills, 16 service aces, and 39 digs. Throughout the span of the season, Montes recorded eight double-digit kill matches, including a career-high 15 kills against CSU Bakersfield and 14 kills on a season-high .684 attack percentage in a five-set win at Norfolk State on Oct. 31.
Montes paced the Hawks and finished fourth in the MEAC with a .313 attack percentage. She also finished eighth in the MEAC with 65 total blocks.
This is her fourth recognition from the conference in her career, joining both her MEAC Rookie of the Week and MEAC All-Rookie team honors last season and MEAC Player of the week this season.
The setter from Henderson, Nevada, played in 27 matches for the Hawks, recording a team-high 475 assists, 126 kills, 184 digs, and 44 blocks. Hutchins finished top five on the team in four out of the five major statistical categories (kills, assists, digs, blocks, and service aces). She also led the team in double-doubles with six.
Hutchins finished fourth in the MEAC in assists, finishing second among freshman setters in the entire conference. In addition, she also finished fifth in the MEAC with 35 service aces. Hutchins set a career-high with 45 assists against Marshall on Sept. 12, which is the most digs that any MEAC freshman setter has recorded in the 2025 season.
With her winning three MEAC Rookie of the Week Awards during the regular season, this is her fourth overall recognition from the conference in her career.
The versatile hitter from Austin, Texas, finished fifth on the Hawks with 146 kills. She also added 46 blocks, 31 digs, and 10 assists. Shaw tallied four double-digit kill matches, making an impact at middle blocker, outside hitter, and opposite side hitter.
She set a career-high in kills with 12 kills with a season-best .526 attack percentage against Coppin State on Oct. 10. Shaw also recorded her first double-digit kill match in her second collegiate game in a win against Florida A&M on Aug. 30.
This is Shaw's second recognition from the conference, joining her MEAC Rookie of the Week award from earlier this season.
All-Academic Selections
To be eligible for All-Academic recognition, MEAC sophomore, junior, and senior student-athletes must hold a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Transfer student-athletes who have been in residence at their respective institutions for at least one year are also eligible for selection. 12 UMES Athletes met the criteria, which was the second most of any MEAC institution.
Listed below are the Hawk All-Academic Honorees:
For the full list of MEAC All-Conference selections: MEAC All-Conference Selections
For the full list of MEAC All-Academic selections: MEAC All-Academic Selections
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