Link to Skyline Conference Weekly Report
New York, NY – For the fourth straight week, The Sage Colleges' women's volleyball team has produced the Skyline Conference Women's Volleyball Player of the Week. This week the distinction went to sophomore outside hitter Siena Wilder (Ballston Spa, NY/Burnt Hills Ballston Spa).
Wilder had another impressive pair of matches last week and helped the Gators remain unbeaten in conference play, while extending their win streak to 18 matches. She connected for 52 digs and added 8 aces. She currently leads all of Div. 3 in aces and is No. 2 in aces per set as of Oct. 15. She is climbing the Gator single-season record book and is currently No. 4 in aces in a year.
With the release of the latest NCAA Division III statistics, Wilder remains No.1 in the country in aces with her 85 this season. She is No. 2 nationally with her 0.98 aces per set average. She has racked up 38 kills as well with a team-best 346 digs in 87 sets played in 25 matches this fall.
"It has been a pleasure adding Siena Wilder to our Sage Volleyball Family," said head women's volleyball coach, Sandy Augstein-Collins. "She is extremely motivated and hard working and an absolute joy to coach. She sets the tone for our defense and demands the best from herself and her teammates," added Augstein-Collins.
The Gators are now 21-4 overall and 7-0 in Skyline Conference play. The team's overall win streak on the 2014 season has grown to 18 matches, while also riding an impressive streak in conference play as well. Sage has won 20 consecutive Skyline matches dating back to October 3, 2012. The last setback for Sage in conference play was a 3-1 loss on Oct. 3, 2012 (3-1 to Mt. St. Mary College).
Sage is also ranked nationally as a team in several categories, including No. 5 in service aces (279), No. 6 in aces per set (3.28), and No. 23 in win percentage (.840). The Gators are ranked No. 52 in team hitting percentage (.222), while several players are also ranked for their efforts in the team's successful 2014 campaign.
Senior tri-captain Helen Putriment (Troy, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) leads the team with her 287.5 points, having added 251 kills with 26 aces and 293 digs. She continues her Gator record book climb as well. She has 1,295 career kills (No, 2), with 1,622 career digs (No. 4), and 115 aces (No. 14). On the 2014 season, she has a .306 attack percentage and has played in 85 sets this fall. Putriment ranks No. 105 in hitting percentage (.306), while also holding a national ranking in points per set (3.38).
Senior Rachel Martin (Troy, NY/Troy) has been a real gem for the Gators as she has 197 kills with a team-best .336 attack percentage, which ranks No. 47 in Division III. She is also ranked nationally in points per set with her 3.04 average). She has 13 aces as well and has 44 blocks and 237.0 points in 78 sets played.
Sophomore setter and team tri-captain Rachel Liebig (Hartford, NY/Hartford) leads the Gators with her 802 setting assists. She has 104 digs with 61 aces on the year and is nationally ranked in both setting assists and aces. She is ranked nationally in aces (No. 17), No. 27 in aces per set average (0.70), as well as No. 60 in setting assists, and No. 51 in total setting assists (802). She now has 1,246 career setting assists and vaulted to No. 5 all-time at Sage, while her season total stands No. 10 in single-season performances as well.
The Gators return to action on Oct. 25 hosting a Skyline Tri-Match at the Kahl Gym (Albany, NY). Visiting the Gators will be Purchase and Mt. St. Mary College in matches at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. The Gators are looking to capture the program's second straight league regular-season title after a perfect 9-0 mark a year ago. Sage will honor their 2014 seniors in conjunction with Senior Day and they include Helen Putriment, Jillian Schwab, Stacey Forte, and Rachel Martin.
