CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canisius junior Leah Simmons and senior Sofia Lopez Acosta were both recognized as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced its weekly award winners on Tuesday. Winners of three-straight, the Golden Griffins went 2-0 in their first home weekend of the season and sit at 3-1 in MAAC play.
Simmons, a native of Abington, Pa., was named MAAC Player of the Week while Lopez Acosta, a Mexicali, Mexico product, was tabbed the conference’s Libero of the Week. Simmons totaled 27 kills over the weekend at a .250 hitting percentage. Lopez Acosta recorded 42 digs and seven assists in the two contests for the Griffs.
This is Simmons’ first time being honored by the conference for her play. In Canisius’ 3-1 win over Saint Peter’s on Saturday, Simmons powered the Blue and Gold with 16 kills and two total blocks. She added a team-high 11 kills in the Sunday sweep of Rider, where she also recorded three digs. She has now recorded double-digit kills in four of the team’s last five matches.
For Lopez Acosta, this is the second time in her career that she was named MAAC Libero of the Week. The senior started her weekend by celebrating her birthday with 20 digs in the victory over the Peacocks Sept. 22, chipping in five assists and two service aces. She followed that effort with 22 digs in the three sets against the Broncs, also recording the assist on the match-winning point.
“I’m really happy about it because I have been giving my heart and more in every practice and game,” Lopez Acosta said. Simmons added “It feels great because it was one of my goals this year so I’m happy I got it this week.”
Lopez Acosta currently leads the MAAC with 5.42 digs per set, while Simmons is fifth in the conference with 2.98 kills per set.
Canisius continues MAAC play on the road this weekend, traveling to Iona on Sept. 29 and Manhattan on Sept. 30. Both matches are set for 1 p.m., with the contest at Iona being broadcast on ESPN3.
