Hempstead, NY - Sophomore Chiara Cucco was named the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week and freshman Izadora Stedile earned the conference's Rookie of the Week honor, it was announced this afternoon by the conference office. 

These are the first two weekly conference honors of the season for Hofstra.

The duo were huge parts of the Pride's two wins over Stony Brook this weekend that allowed Hofstra to begin conference play with a 2-0 mark. 

In Saturday's match Cucco had 27 digs, while also adding three service aces and two assists in the four-set win. The digs total marked a new season-high for the second-year player. In Sunday's four-set win she had 22 digs and totaled eight assists as well. She posted a match-high digs total in both contests. For the week she had 49 digs for an average of 6.13 digs per set. She also had 10 assists (1.25 per set). 

Stedile opened the week with a new season-high of 17 kills, while also adding nine digs, and three blocks in Saturday's four-set win. On Sunday, she posted 13 digs and new season-highs of 20 digs and five service aces to help in the four-set victory. For the week she totaled 30 kills, 29 digs, five service aces, and five blocks. 

Hofstra is back at home this weekend, hosting North Carolina A&T on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.