Washington, D.C.– For the second time this season, freshman right side
Simone Searles of the Duquesne volleyball team has been named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, announced by the league office Monday.
Searles powered Duquesne to a perfect 2-0 weekend at the Natale Sporting Goods Invitational, helping the Dukes sweep both Maryland Eastern Shore and Siena while earning All-Tournament Team honors. The Marietta, Ga., native averaged 5.58 points, 5.00 kills and 3.17 digs per set while hitting a blistering .491 across the two matches.
Searles opened the weekend with her second double-double of the season, posting 16 kills and 10 digs while hitting .640 in a 3-0 sweep of the Hawks. She followed with 14 kills and nine digs while hitting .357 in Saturday's straight-set victory over the Saints.
The freshman finished the weekend with 30 kills, 19 digs, four blocks and one ace, helping Duquesne improve to 9-2 overall and tie the program's best start through 11 matches since 2016.
Searles continues to rank among the Atlantic 10's best through the opening month of the season. She currently ranks second in the league in hitting percentage at .347, third in points per set at 4.29 and fourth in kills per set at 3.66. The freshman has recorded double-figure kills in eight matches while leading the Dukes in kills four times. She also ranks second on the team with two double-doubles, while adding 26 total blocks and 10 service aces on the season.
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