COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College women's volleyball first-year middle blocker Rory Tower (Fountain Hills, Ariz./Desert Mountain) was named Northeast 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week for the week ending on Sunday, Oct. 26.
 
Tower averaged 1.7 kills, 2.0 blocks and 1.4 digs per set during a 2-0 week. In a 3-1 win over Saint Anselm College last Tuesday, she turned in 13 blocks, six digs, five kills on .308 hitting, and two aces. Tower added 10 kills, seven digs, five blocks and one ace in a 3-2 victory over Assumption University on Saturday. Her 13 blocks against Saint Anselm are the most in the known history of the program, over the past 20 years. The Purple Knights turned in 20 that night, the most by an NCAA Division II team in a four-set match this fall, and their most in 19 years.
 
For the season, Tower is second in the NE10 in blocks (78) and fifth in hitting percentage (.308). She adds 120 kills, 55 digs and 19 aces. Tower's 78 blocks tie Katie Ouellette '06 (2003) for eighth in program history.
 
The Purple Knights, who are 4-2 in NE10 play, are next in action on Nov. 8 when they host Adelphi University at 1 p.m.