NEWTON, Mass. – A freshman on the Lasell College women's volleyball team was recognized Monday with a top weekly honor from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) for her strong performance in a pair of conference victories last Saturday.

Freshman Kiana Perez (Juncos, Puerto Rico/Notre Dame) was named GNAC Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week, as announced by the conference office. Perez was a key player as Lasell defeated Albertus Magnus College and Suffolk University for its first two victories of the season and the first two conference matches.

A rookie outside hitter, Perez averaged 4.07 kills per set with a .268 attack percentage in four Laser matches last week. She also contributed 2.14 digs per set with nine service aces. Perez had strong performances in the two conference wins, recording seven kills in the victory over Albertus Magnus and 19 winners with a sparkling .486 attack percentage (17-2-35) in the decision over Suffolk. She also slammed a season-high 22 kills in a non-conference loss to Wentworth last Tuesday.

Perez is enjoying a solid rookie campaign, averaging 2.72 kills and 2.46 digs per set with a team-leading .160 attack percentage and a team-high 14 service aces. She ranks third in the GNAC with 106 kills and 10th in kills per set.

Lasell, 2-10 overall and 2-0 in the GNAC, plays non-conference matches Tuesday at Newbury College (7:00 p.m.) and Thursday at home vs. Pine Manor College (7:00 p.m.) before a pair of GNAC matches Saturday with Rivier University (1:00 p.m.) at Colby-Sawyer College (3:00 p.m.)

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