DESPARD NAMED NECVA NEW ENGLAND ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

CHICOPEE, MA. Feb. 25, 2008 - Freshman middle blocker Curt Despard (Enfield, CT) was named North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) New England Division Rookie of the Week on Monday, February 25.

Depard smashed a match-high 15 kills on 18 attacks while adding two service aces, and two block solos to lead the Blazers to a 3-0 (30-23, 30-25, 30-26) victory at Johnson & Wales Thursday.  Of Despard's 18 attacks, only one resulted in an error and Despard's kill percentage was a near-perfect .778

Despard followed his performance against Johnson & Wales by recording eight kills and six total blocks (three solo, three assists) in Elms College's 3-2 (27-30, 30-26, 30-23, 30-26, 15-11) New England Division victory over Lasell on Saturday. 

For the season, Despard has knocked down 142 kills and committed just 24 errors on 255 attacks for a .463 hitting percentage. He has also registered a team-leading 46 blocks.