Djatcha, Valdes Receive GNAC Weekly Awards

WINTHROP, Mass. - Thanks to their efforts during Regis College's sweeps over Fisher College and AIC last Friday, first-year student-athletes Eddie Djatcha (Lowell, Mass.) and Brandon Valdes (Miami, Fla.) have been selected for Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) weekly awards in men's volleyball, announced Monday, Feb. 26, by the league office.

For the second time in three weeks, Djatcha has been named GNAC Defensive Player of the Week as he led the Pride at the net. In the first set against Fisher College, he was a perfect 3-for-3 in attack attempts, plus he picked up a block assist. Against AIC, Djatcha led Regis with six total blocks, and he finished with seven kills in 10 attack attempts without an error for a .700 hitting percentage.

Valdes received GNAC Rookie of the Week recognition after averaging 3.5 kills, 1.5 service aces, and 1.5 blocks per set during the Pride's two victories Friday. In the first set against Fisher, he collected four kills on a .444 hitting percentage along with three service aces, two digs, and a solo block. In the match against AIC, Valdes finished with a season-high 10 kills along with three service aces and five total blocks, also a season-high total.

For the season, Djatcha is currently fifth in the GNAC with 0.85 blocks per set as he has earned at least one block in 11 of the Pride's 13 matches so far this year. Valdes has moved into a tie for fourth in the league with 0.53 service aces per set after earning 12 service aces over the past four matches, averaging 1.2 service aces per set in that span.

Regis College (7-6, 3-1 GNAC) returns to league competition this week, traveling to Franklin, Mass., to face Dean College Tuesday, Feb. 27, starting at 6 p.m. before hosting Emmanuel College Wednesday, Feb. 28, beginning at 7 p.m.