RIVERDALE, N.Y. - Manhattan College freshman outside hitter Malia McGuinness (Kailua, Hawaii) has been named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Rookie of the Week, it was announced on Monday.  McGuinness averaged 4.00 kills and 2.36 digs per set as the Jaspers went 2-1 in matches against Fairleigh Dickinson, Niagara and Canisius last week.

In the three-set victory over Fairleigh Dickinson on Wednesday night, McGuinness recorded a match-high 12 kills while hitting .364.  She also had six digs and three service aces against the Knights.  After notching a team-best eight kills against Niagara on Saturday, McGuinness led the Jaspers to their first win over Canisius in Buffalo since 2002, a five-set victory on Sunday afternoon.  She recorded her fourth career double-double in the match, slamming a career-high 24 kills, including the clincher on match point, and hit .396 while also tallying 14 digs.

McGuinness leads all MAAC freshmen and ranks fifth overall in the conference with a team-leading 3.53 kills per set.  She also ranks second on the team in digs, averaging 2.38 per set.

She is the third Manhattan player in two weeks to be recognized by the conference.  Senior middle blocker LaKell Havens (St. George, Utah) was named MAAC Player of the Week and freshman setter Hollegn Henderson (Long Beach, Calif.) was selected as MAAC Rookie of the Week on Sept. 26.

The Jaspers (10-6, 4-1 MAAC) return to action when they host St. Francis (NY) (1-19) for a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

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