CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
The Canisius volleyball program recorded a critical weekend sweep of Iona and Manhattan this past weekend, and the conference took notice, as the league honored Sofia Lopez Acosta and Claire Leonard as Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Libero of the Week and Rookie of the Week, respectively. This is the first award for Lopez Acosta and the second time Leonard has earned a weekly honor.
The Mexicali, Mexico native has settled into a groove in the libero role for the Blue and Gold, as she recorded a 5.57 digs per set average against the Gaels and Jaspers. Lopez Acosta tallied double-figure digs, notching 14 against the Gaels, and a season-best 25 against Manhattan. The junior-transfer also posted 0.86 assists per set average, tallying six assists during the weekend.
Lopez Acosta is currently ranked fifth in the MAAC in digs per set, sporting a 4.00 digs per frame average.
Leonard also had a strong weekend, finishing the two games with a 4.00 kills per set average, and a 1.43 blocks per set mark. Against Iona she finished with seven kills and exploded for a season-high 21 kills against the Jaspers. The first-year standout also tallied five blocks per match, for 10 total. The Bettendorf, Iowa native also added three digs and recorded a hitting percentage of .286.
Like Lopez Acosta, Leonard is one of the top producers in the conference ranking third in the league in kills per set with a 3.13 average. She’s also ranked fourth in the MAAC in points per set, tallying a 3.46 average in that category.
Canisius gears up for its first matchup in the Battle of the Bridge series, as it heads up to Lewiston on Thursday for a 6 p.m. showdown with Niagara. That will be the Griffs’ lone matchup of the week before it settles in for a five-match homestand beginning on Oct. 21.
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