BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sthefany Carvalho and Kaleigh Williams of Bethune-Cookman Volleyball each grabbed Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Volleyball weekly awards on Wednesday, Sept. 17, announced by the league office from its headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama. Carvalho was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Week, and Williams picked up Co-Newcomer of the Week.
 
Sthefany Carvalho is collecting her second SWAC weekly award of the year, having also taken Defensive Player of the Week accolades after the opening weekend of the campaign.
 
Carvalho, a graduate student from UAlbany, was instrumental defensively for Bethune-Cookman last week as the Wildcats went 1-2 in the Bash at the Beach hosted by B-CU in Daytona Beach. Not only did Carvalho record a team-high matching four service aces, but she was third in assists (20) and topped the Cats in digs (56) across the three matches. She averaged 5.09 digs per set across 11 total sets, respectively. In a tough 3-2 setback to Charleston Southern, the Brazilian reeled in a season-high 32 digs with a season-high tying three service aces and season-best 10 assists from her libero position on the court.  She provided the Wildcats with 17 digs and seven assists in a 3-0 sweep of former MEAC opponent South Carolina State.
 
As for Kaleigh Williams, this is her first Newcomer of the Week accolade.
 
A freshman middle blocker from Ellicott City, Maryland, Williams amassed 18 kills and a team-leading 19 blocks (17 assisted) last week during the Bash at the Beach. In all, she averaged 1.73 blocks per set last week for the Maroon and Gold. Additionally, Williams served up a team-high matching four aces. Additionally, she was just short of a double-double performance with a season-best 11 kills and nine blocks (assisted), adding two service aces, three digs and an assist in a five-set defeat at the hands of Charleston Southern. In a 3-0 win from former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe South Carolina State, Williams secured four kills, two service aces, two digs and five blocks (one solo). She would lead the Wildcats with 2.95 points per set last week as well.
 
The Wildcats are back in action September 19, as B-CU participates in the Owls Paradise Classic hosted by Florida Atlantic in Boca Raton, Florida. The two-day event also features teams from George Washington in addition to the host FAU Owls.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Volleyball on X/Twitter (@BCUVolleyball) and Instagram (@BCUVolleyball) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on X/Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.