
Photo by: Farrah Chernov
Giacomini, Gunes Earn Major MAAC Awards
11/20/2024 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
EDISON, N.J. – Quinnipiac graduate student Elena Giacomini was named the 2024 MAAC Player of the Year, the program's first conference player of the year, as announced by the league office on Wednesday, Nov. 20th. Junior setter, Damla Gunes was tabbed the conference's Setter of the Year for the second straight season. Gunes is now the first player in the team's history to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
Giacomini and Gunes earned All-MAAC First Team honors, and first-year Libero, Carola Negron Diaz was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team.
The Graduate student from Italy immediately impacted the Bobcats this season. Giacomini was second in the MAAC with 434 kills and 509.5 points to earn her the MAAC Player of the Year award. Giacomini recorded 17 double-doubles this season, including a streak of ten straight matches to close out the regular season. On the defensive end, Giacomini was second on the team with 71.0 blocks, for an average of 0.61 blocks per set. In the win over Fairfield, Giacomini recorded a season-high 31 kills while adding 15 digs and two aces.
Gunes had another outstanding year for the Bobcats. The MAAC's leader in assists per set (9.32) and third in assists (867), Gunes recorded 30+ assists in 16 matches this season. Of her 867 assists this season, 594 came in conference play, the second most amongst MAAC players. The Bursa, Turkey native has recorded 37 service aces, 27 total blocks, and 24 kills to add to her impressive season.
A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, first-year Carola Negron Diaz was awarded for her stellar performance with MAAC All-Rookie team honors. Negron Diaz appeared in 13 matches this season for the Bobcats and recorded 140 digs in 47 total sets played. The libero finished the season with 14 service aces and 40 assists.
The Bobcats return to action on Saturday, November 23rd, as they play in the MAAC Semifinals. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN+ from Siena's UHY Center in Loudonville, New York.
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Giacomini and Gunes earned All-MAAC First Team honors, and first-year Libero, Carola Negron Diaz was named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team.
The Graduate student from Italy immediately impacted the Bobcats this season. Giacomini was second in the MAAC with 434 kills and 509.5 points to earn her the MAAC Player of the Year award. Giacomini recorded 17 double-doubles this season, including a streak of ten straight matches to close out the regular season. On the defensive end, Giacomini was second on the team with 71.0 blocks, for an average of 0.61 blocks per set. In the win over Fairfield, Giacomini recorded a season-high 31 kills while adding 15 digs and two aces.
Gunes had another outstanding year for the Bobcats. The MAAC's leader in assists per set (9.32) and third in assists (867), Gunes recorded 30+ assists in 16 matches this season. Of her 867 assists this season, 594 came in conference play, the second most amongst MAAC players. The Bursa, Turkey native has recorded 37 service aces, 27 total blocks, and 24 kills to add to her impressive season.
A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, first-year Carola Negron Diaz was awarded for her stellar performance with MAAC All-Rookie team honors. Negron Diaz appeared in 13 matches this season for the Bobcats and recorded 140 digs in 47 total sets played. The libero finished the season with 14 service aces and 40 assists.
The Bobcats return to action on Saturday, November 23rd, as they play in the MAAC Semifinals. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN+ from Siena's UHY Center in Loudonville, New York.
Players Mentioned
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