HADDONFIELD, N.J. - The Atlantic East Conference announced the Women's Volleyball All-Conference teams and major awards on Tuesday. The All-Conference teams are voted on by the league's head coaches.
Marymount’s Ava Humphries was tabbed Player of the Year following a standout junior season. She led the conference with 518 digs, the 10th best in program history and an average of 4.79 per set. The junior posted 55 points and added 52 service aces, leading the Saints to a 17-16 record. Her career-high 35 digs game in the opening weekend of the season against Plymouth St. Her consistent presence, command and leadership on the court saw the Saints go undefeated in conference play and only drop one set across the seven matches.
The Specialty Player of the Year was awarded to Marywood’s Ayla Bransford who had an incredible freshman campaign. Bransford, a setter, led the conference with 841 assists overall on the season, averaging 9.76 per set in conference play. She finished eighth in the conference with 55 service aces, averaging .52 per set. The freshman also contributed 200 digs and 32 blocks on the season. Leading Marywood to a second seed in the conference, she brought consistency to the court and ran an efficient offense in just her first season of collegiate volleyball.
Humphries’ teammate Hailey LaBonte was named the Rookie of the Year after appearing in every single match for the Saints this fall. She recorded 294 kills and 258 digs, showing how well-rounded she is. LaBonte finished conference play ninth in hitting percentage (.206) and 10th in kills per set (2.82). Overall, she finished 10th in points per set (3.12) and ninth in kills per set (2.60). The freshman also posted a 92.9 reception percentage.
Leah Zambetti, a senior from Marywood, took home the Atlantic East Elite Scholar Athlete Award. This honor is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competing at the finals site at each of the Atlantic East’s championships. Zambetti is majoring in Communications Sciences and Disorders- Speech-Language Pathology and boasts a perfect 4.0 GPA. Full criteria can be found here.
The Coaching Staff of the Year was awarded to Marywood, who are led by Head Coach Maegen Eddinger. The Pacers posted a 25-5 record, a program best, which was highlighted by earning the second seed in postseason play. Under Eddingeri’s tutelage, Marywood was also awarded the Rookie of the Year alongside three first team and two second team honors this season.
2025 Atlantic East Women’s Volleyball All-Conference Awards
Player of the Year: Ava Humphries, Marymount
Specialty Player of the Year: Ayla Bransford, Marywood
Rookie of the Year: Hailey LaBonte, Marymount
Elite Scholar Athlete Award: Leah Zambetti, Marywood
Coaching Staff of the Year: Marywood
First Team
Ayla Bransford, Marywood, Fr.
Kate Etter, Gwynedd Mercy, Jr.
Mia Esposito, Immaculata, Sr.
Taylor Hallam, Marywood, Jr.
Ava Humphries, Marymount, Jr.
Poppy Skjonnemand, Centenary, Jr.
Catie Woolf, Marywood, So.
Second Team
Rey Bennett, Centenary, Fr.
Melissa Eddy, Neumann, So.
Hailey LaBonte, Marymount, Fr.
Charlotte Pugh, Gwynedd Mercy, Sr.
Carolina Samaniego, Marywood, Fr.
Julia Solomon, Neumann, So.
Elizabeth Stackpole, Marymount, Jr.
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising eight institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary and Saint Elizabeth Universities in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
Stay up to date with all the latest news from the Atlantic East!
'Follow' us on Twitter and Instagram, Linkedin, and 'Like' us on Facebook!
#AtlanticEast