BROOKLYN, N.Y. - LIU Brooklyn volleyball sophomore Jiayi Zhang was named the Molten/Northeast Conference Player of the Week, and teammate freshman Amanda Hubbard was named Molten/NEC Rookie of the Week, it was announced by the conference office Monday afternoon. They become the fourth and fifth Blackbirds to earn a weekly honor this year: it is Zhang's first career honor from the NEC, and Hubbard's second Rookie award of the season.

Zhang was the driving force for an LIU Brooklyn team that defeated Bryant and first place Central Connecticut over the weekend. The sophomore factored in all areas of the court, averaging 3.12 kills, 1.38 blocks and 0.75 service aces per set. Zhang turned in career performances in both matches, starting with a career-high six service aces to go along with seven blocks in the 3-1 win over Bryant. The next day Zhang recorded a personal-best 18 kills, hit .405 and registered four more blocks as LIU handed the Blue Devils their first NEC loss of the season in a four set match. LIU Brooklyn improved to 5-2 in NEC play and now sits third in the conference, just one game back of CCSU and Sacred Heart.

Hubbard sparked the Blackbirds to a sweep of Bryant and Central Connecticut with a pair of 3-1 wins in weekend play. The freshman, who earned her second Molten/NEC Rookie of the Week honor, averaged 10.25 assists per set and 2.38 digs per set. Hubbard recorded 33 assists and 10 digs in the win over Bryant for her sixth double-double of the season. She followed with 49 assists on Sunday, tying her career-high, as LIU dealt Central Connecticut its first NEC setback. She added five kills and a service ace on the weekend. Hubbard currently leads the NEC with 8.78 assists per set.

Up next, the Blackbirds hit the road to start the second half of the NEC season, facing off against Fairleigh Dickinson, Saturday, October 22 and Sacred Heart, Sunday, October 23.