Oct. 31, 2011

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - Following a weekend in which it clinched a spot in the 2011 Patriot League Tournament, the Army volleyball team swept the conference weekly awards for the fourth time this season. Junior outside hitter Ariana Mankus picked up her second Molten Patriot League Player of the Week award, while freshman setter Mary Vaccaro collected Rookie of the Week honors for the ninth time this fall.

Mankus averaged 5.33 kills per set and hit for a .384 percentage over two matches last week, leading the Black Knights to wins over Manhattan (3-0) and Holy Cross (3-0). She led Army in both contests with 16 kills en route to her 10th career Patriot League weekly award. Mankus extended her double-digit kill streak to five matches and brought her total to 17 on the season. The Lisle, Ill., native committed just four errors on a team-high 73 attempts last week. Mankus leads the team and ranks second in the league averaging 3.65 kills per set.

Vaccaro led all players in assists against both Manhattan and Holy Cross. She added 12.67 assists per set, while adding three kills and 22 digs last week. Vaccaro totaled 14 digs in a win over Manhattan last Wednesday to complete her 16th double-double (assists, digs) of the season. Vaccaro has started all 25 matches this season and tops the league in assists per set (11.52). Her nine Patriot League Rookie of the Week awards are a conference record.

The Black Knights extended their win streak to seven matches on Sunday against Holy Cross, while keeping pace with defending champion American in a tie for first place in the Patriot League standings. The 2011 conference tournament will be held Nov. 19-20 at the site of the highest seed. The Black Knights will be part of the four-team field for a conference-best 13th-straight year.

The Black Knights travel to Navy and American this weekend on Friday and Saturday, respectively. In the first half of Patriot League play, Army swept Navy in the "Star Match" on Oct. 1 and fell short (3-2) against American the night before at Gillis Field House.

Live video webstreams of both matches will be available. Visit the volleyball schedule page of www.goARMYsports.com for details.

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