Nov. 17, 2011

Cambridge, Mass. - Senior outside hitter Alicia Nelson (Apple Valley, Minn.), of the Stony Brook University volleyball team, has been selected America East Player of the Year, the conference office announced on Thursday. Nelson becomes the second player in program history to earn the award.

Named first team All-America East for the second straight season, Nelson led the conference in kills per set (4.38) and points per set (4.92). In addition, sophomore middle blocker Evann Slaughter (Clinton, Md.) earned a spot on the all-conference second team and freshman Laura Hathaway (Warsaw, N.Y.) was named to the America East All-Rookie squad.

A three-time America East Player of the Week, Nelson had 12 double-doubles and recorded double-digit kills in all but three matches. Nelson became the eight player in program history to pass 1,000 career kills earlier this season at Bucknell.

Nelson ranked 19th in the country in kills per set and 20th in points per set as she led the Seawolves to the America East tournament for the second straight season. The only other player in program history to be named America East Player of the Year was Jackie Ahlers in 2007.

After being selected America East Rookie of the Year last season, Slaughter 2.50 kills per set and 1.00 block per set for the Seawolves this season. A two-time America East Player of the Week, she was the only sophomore ranked in the top 10 in the conference in points per set (3.16).

Named America East Rookie of the Week on Monday, Hathaway finished the regular season fourth in the conference with 4.09 digs per set. Hathaway recorded double-digit digs in all but three matches and finished with 20 or more digs eight times.

In search of their first ever conference title, the Seawolves open the 2011 America East tournament against No. 2 New Hampshire in the semifinal round on Friday at Albany's University Gymnasium. First serve is set for 7 p.m.