Talamantes and Rainey Earn NECC Men's Volleyball Player and Rookie of the Week Accolades

PLAYER OF THE WEEK — Newbury College senior setter Matt Talamantes (Los Angeles, Calif.) led the Nighthawks to their second consecutive NECC Men’s Volleyball Championship title. Talamantes was also named the 2011 NECC Player of the Year. For the week, the Nighthawks opened up with a tough 3-1 loss to Emmanuel while defeating Southern Vermont 3-0 and Elms 3-1 in championship play. Talamantes averaged 10.5 assists per game, while tallying a .488 attack percentage. He also had 21 kills (2.56 per set) and 15 digs (1.88 per set).

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK — Elms College freshman middle hitter Bryson Rainey (Brookline, Mass.) hit .364 with 34 kills in a 2-1 week falling only to Newbury 3-1 in the NECC title match.  Rainey was also named the 2011 NECC Rookie of the Year. He helped the Blazers defeat New Haven 3-1 and Daniel Webster 3-0 in the semifinals of the NECC tournament. Against the Eagles, Rainey averaged a sizzling .462 attack percentage. For the week, Rainey averaged 3.09 kills, 7.71 assists, 0.27 service aces, 1.18 digs and 1.09 blocks per set.