ATLANTA, Ga. (September 27, 2022) –  Maliyah Spencer (Allen) was named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Newcomer of the Week the league office announced on Tuesday.

NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK – Maliyah Spencer, Allen
Outside Hitter | Freshman | Surprise, Arizona
 
Freshman outside hitter Maliyah Spencer totaled 58 kills on the week with 26 digs and six blocks. The Arizona native led the Yellow Jackets to two wins on the week as she totaled a season-high of 16 kills in the win over Central State on Saturday as well as a game-high of 14 digs and 14 kills in the five-set win over Tuskegee on Friday.

"Maliyah is everything a coach would want in an athlete!" commented coach Danielle Robinson. "She is hard-working, determined, and very receptive to everything the coaching staff throws at her to improve her game."

"Coming in as a freshman she has set a tone as a strong outside for our offense and I am very proud of her," continued Robinson. "I look forward to her continued growth and impact that she will have as the season progresses."

Spencer, who leads the Yellow Jackets in kills on the season with 122 along with a hitting % of .222, has helped Allen to their best start to a season in school history as the team stands at 9-6 overall and 4-4 in the conference. They will host in-city rival Benedict College on Wednesday night at 6:30 PM. 


  
OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED
 

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK	Maliyah Spencer (Allen); Kassandra Fairly (Spring Hill); Naomy Vergez Varona (Edward Waters); Destinee Langston (Savannah State)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK	Andrea Diaz Merced (Edward Waters); Mikayla Boyer (Spring Hill); Sarah Rosario (Fort Valley State); Jayla Neely (Allen); Destiny Gaines (Savannah State)
SETTER OF THE WEEK	Mataiya Barber (Edward Waters); Laiani McCullough (Fort Valley State); Kayla Chambliss (Allen); Jesse Grubesic (Savannah State)