EDISON, NJ — Rookie
Julia Leonardo was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and earned All-MAAC Second Team, and All-MAAC Rookie Team honors, as announced by the conference office on Thursday afternoon. Leonardo collected three MAAC Rookie of the Week honors this season, along with one Player of the Week award. She becomes Iona Volleyball's third Rookie of the Year and the program's first since Jamie Smith in 2017.
The Attleboro, MA native earned the distinction by leading the Maroon and Gold offense with 380 kills, which ranked first on the team and fourth in the MAAC. She averaged 3.55 kills per set, placing her first on the team and third in the conference. Her season high of 30 kills against Saint Peter's stands as the second highest single-match total by any MAAC player this year. She also finished the season with 429.5 points, 28 service aces, 192 digs, and 41 blocks.
While appearing in 29 matches during the season, Leonardo recorded seven matches with 20 or more kills and recorded five double-doubles.
Player of the Year: Kiannisha Santiago, Rider
Libero of the Year: Mia Schaefer, Niagara
Setter of the Year: Damla Gunes, Quinnipiac
Rookie of the Year: Julia Leonardo, Iona
Coach of the Year: Kyle Robinson, Quinnipiac
| All-MAAC First Team |
| Name |
Position |
Institution |
| Kiannisha Santiago |
Opposite |
Rider |
| Mamie Krubally |
Right Side |
Fairfield |
| Yagmur Gunes |
Outside Hitter |
Quinnipiac |
| Damla Gunes |
Setter |
Quinnipiac |
| Maya Walker |
Middle Blocker |
Fairfield |
| Allie Elliott |
Outside Hitter |
Fairfield |
| Ella Bourque |
Setter |
Canisius |
| All-MAAC Second Team |
| Name |
Position |
Institution |
| Julia Leonardo |
Outside Hitter |
Iona |
| Carley McAleavey |
Middle Hitter |
Rider |
| Doga Diraz |
Middle Blocker |
Canisius |
| Mia Schaefer |
Libero |
Niagara |
| Miliani Villarreal |
Libero |
Sacred Heart |
| Sara Dasic |
Outside Hitter |
Marist |
| Makenna Mason |
Setter |
Rider |
| MAAC All-Rookie Team |
| Name |
Position |
Institution |
| Julia Leonardo |
Outside Hitter |
Iona |
| Mary Claire Deacy |
Right Side |
Siena |
| Emma Bortolotti |
Right Side |
Fairfield |
| Hanna Kaczynska |
Right Side |
Manhattan |
| Ryleigh Short |
Outside Hitter |
Sacred Heart |
| Mallory Reck |
Outside Hitter |
Marist |
| Abbie Hagedorn |
Outside Hitter |
Sacred Heart |
| Madison Cowan |
Outside Hitter/Libero |
Canisius |
