Alvarez Named AVCA National Player of the Week
BENNINGTON, Vt.- Southern Vermont College Outside Hitter Jessica Alvarez (Eagle Rock, CA) was named the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III National Player of the Week, Tuesday afternoon. The honor marks the first time ever an SVC athlete has earned National Recognition for a week.
Alvarez a junior has been outstanding for the Mountaineers all season, leading SVC to a 21-2 record, and a top 15 ranking in the latest New England Women’s Volleyball Association (NEWVA) polls. The Mountaineers 21 wins are the most ever for a Women’s program at Southern Vermont.
“Being named the national player of the week is a great honor in an athlete’s career,” said Athletic Director Jim Beckwith. “SVC is very proud of Jessica and her recognition. Jessica is a remarkable contributor to the SVC community both on and off the court; including acting as a community advisor in the residential halls. It is because of individuals such as Jessica that has allowed our athletic programs to grow and flourish.”
For the week Alvarez and the Mountaineers went 3-0. The Mountaineers won in straight sets in all three matches with New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) wins against Becker College and Newbury College. Southern Vermont also traveled to SUNY Cobleskill for a 3-0 non-conference victory.
As the week progressed Alvarez continually got better. In the first match of the week against Becker, she had nine kills, six digs, and three service aces. Thursday, against Cobleskill the Mountaineer went for 15 kills, a .542 hitting percentage, and six service aces. It was Saturday however, the junior made her mark on the week with a .611 hitting percentage against conference foe Newbury College. In the match Alvarez had 13 kills on 18 attempts and recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 10 digs.
“Last week Jessica showed how tough of a player she is and people have taken notice nationally,” said Head Coach Josh Stokes
For the week the Alvarez averaged 2.56 digs, and 4.0 kills per set, while she hit a remarkable .459 and had nine aces for the Mountaineers. In just her first season in a SVC uniform, Alvarez has 292 kills, good for third all-time in the record book. The junior has hit for a .318 hitting percentage with 189 digs and 55 service aces.
“I’m still shocked, even when I was told I was NECC player of the week, earlier this season it was surreal. I wouldn’t be where I am without my teammates and coaches. Every day my teammates push me to get better and without them I wouldn’t have been able to receive this award,” said the AVCA National Player of the Week.
