A&T's Pitt, Laboy-Rivera Earn Volleyball Weekly Honors

EAST GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Sophomore Courteney Pitt took care of business at the net while freshman Andrea Laboy-Rivera handled things everywhere else on the court. As a result, both North Carolina A&T volleyball players earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference weekly honors on Monday.

Pitt earned co-player of the week, while Rivera was named co-defensive specialist of the week as the Aggies went 1-1 with a sweep of Bethune-Cookman on Sunday at Moore Gymnasium, which was preceded by a loss to Florida A&M in four sets Friday night at Moore.

“We are very happy for and proud of Courteney and Andrea,” said N.C. A&T coach Hal Clifton. “Both have really put in a lot of work to become good players, and it's nice that they were recognized for their efforts.”

Courtesy: North Carolina A&T State University Athletics

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Pitt is having an outstanding season. She leads the conference in kills (4.08) and points (4.49) per set. She ranks 45thand 53rdnationally in those same two statistical categories. Pitt is also fourth in the conference attacks per set (10.62).

Last week, Pitt recorded 38 kills, 13 digs, four blocks in seven sets played. She had 21 kills and only five attack errors in 50 attempts to post a .320 hitting percentage in the Aggies win over B-CU. Eleven of Pitt’s kills came in the third and decisive set. She has 20 or more kills in four different matches this season. She has won player of the week three times this season.

“Courteney had a really good weekend offensively,” said N.C. A&T coach Hal Clifton. “She is starting to see the block and court well and has been able to take advantage of the opportunities to score.”

There was not a place on the floor Laboy-Rivera did not occupy Sunday afternoon versus the Wildcats. Laboy-Rivera got her hands on almost every ball to finish with 27 digs and five assists. She had 44 digs and seven assists for the week and ranks second in the conference in digs per set (4.38). Laboy-Rivera has reached 20 or more digs four times this season.

“Andrea was really flowing to the ball well and constantly put herself in a good position to make digs,” said Clifton. “She is doing a really nice job back row.”

Including Pitt’s three weekly honors and Laboy-Rivera’s recent accolade, the Aggies have secured six weekly honors this season with freshman Lily Walton earning rookie of the week on Aug. 27 and Edie Brewer being named setter of the week on Aug. 27.

N.C. A&T is 1-1 in conference play and returns to MEAC action 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5 when they travel to Orangeburg, S.C., to face the S.C. State Bulldogs.

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