Four from Women's Volleyball Earn CNE Postseason Recognition

BEVERLY, Mass. – Continuing their run as one of the top contenders in the Conference of New England, the Wentworth Institute of Technology women's volleyball team had four student-athletes recognized by the league in the form of postseason awards, as announced by the conference office Wednesday afternoon.

Last year's conference Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year Emma Sanders reps the Leopards on the All-CNE First Team while Kate McLane and Olivia Vaughn earn spots on the conference's second and third teams, respectively. Brenda Soares was selected as the Black & Gold's member of the conference's Community Service Team.

The postseason awards were voted on by the league's ten head coaches prior to the start of the conference tournament.

After a stellar season as a rookie last year, Sanders continued her pace into 2024, currently hitting .233 and averaging 2.97 kills per set. Her 273 total kills and 316.5 total points are currently each the seventh-highest marks within the conference. Additionally, her nine double-doubles lead the Leopards while her 228 digs and 43 blocks both rank second. Sanders claimed two CNE Player of the Week awards this season.

To date, Sanders has been named to the conference's first team for two straight seasons, in total compiling 567 kills at a .254 clip in 169 sets. She's chipped in with 449 digs, 92 digs, and 64 service aces through her career thus far and was also named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and an AVCA All-Region First Team member in 2023.

McLane was equally as impressive in 2024, earning her second straight honor on the conference's second team while leading Wentworth with 3.63 kills per set (4^th in the CNE) and 290 finishes. Striking at a .232 clip, the outside hitter has secured four double-doubles in conjunction with 143 digs and 17 blocks thus far.

Through 164 total sets played, McLane averages 3.49 kills per set (573 total kills) and a hitting percentage of .239. She's also added to her career stat line thus far with 350 digs and 37 blocks.

After being named to the all-conference second team a season ago, Vaughn earned a spot on the All-CNE Third Team in 2024, steering the Leopards' offense with 8.65 assists per set, ranking third in the CNE, in 74 sets played. The setter currently sits tied for second in the league with her .70 aces per set, leading Wentworth with 52 total service aces. Additionally, Vaughn has added in 145 digs and six critical kills.

Through 152 sets played, Vaughn averages 9.18 assists per set, totaling 1395 assists after eclipsing the 1000-career assists plateau earlier in the season. The Bolingbrook, Ill. native also has 305 digs, 82 service aces, and 23 blocks.

Soares reps the Leopards on the CNE Community Service Team. The junior does a little bit of everything beyond the campus' borders, playing a major role in multiple service projects. Ahead of Thanksgiving, Soares has organized a fundraising project to raise money for homeless shelters. Additionally, the junior volunteers in youth group leadership with her church. As an Architecture major, Soares has already proposed a small school project in Mocambique, Africa, and hopes to bring her experience in the field with her to Brazil to help rebuild her hometown.

The Leopards, currently holding the No. 2 seed in the CNE Tournament with a 17-10 overall mark, host a semifinal matchup against third-seeded Roger Williams on Thursday night.

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