LANCASTER, PA – Blue Jay senior setter
Natalie Aston has repeated as Centennial Conference Player of the Year it was announced earlier today. Aston was joined by four of her teammates as Centennial Conference honorees for their efforts in the 2021 season.
Currently unbeaten after retaining a fifth straight Centennial trophy, the Blue Jays lost just two sets in Centennial Conference play in 2021. A team leader on and off the court, Aston continues to add accolades to her prestigious career at Johns Hopkins with her second career conference Player of Year award.
Aston played in 28 of the team's 29 matches so far this year, accumulating 910 assists (10.34/set). A weapon in all other facets of the game, the setter has also contributed 78 kills, 57 aces, 185 digs and a team-high 79 total blocks. Aston averaged an impressive 2.09 points per set from her setter position and hit .391 when calling her own number.
Sydney Portale,
Eleni Panagopoulos and
Simone Bliss were all named to the All-Centennial second team. Senior middle blocker
Lauren Anthony earned Honorable Mention honors to round out the five Blue Jays honored by the conference.
Portale, a graduate right side, is second on the team in kills with 205, averaging 2.41 kills/set. The Glen Mills, PA native posted eight games with at least 10 kills for Hopkins. Portale is hitting .278 for the year and has contributed 41 total blocks.
Panagopoulos, a senior middle, totaled 144 kills in her move back inside after spending most of the 2019 season as a right side. Panagopoulos is hitting an incredibly efficient .376 for the season and is second on the team with 62 total blocks.
Bliss, a graduate outside hitter and All-American, earned second team honors despite missing a portion of the season with a knee injury. Despite missing time, Bliss is still fourth on the team with 177 kills, averaging 4.21 kills/set. Bliss is hitting .254 and has added 13 aces, 103 digs and 12 blocks. Bliss earned Centennial Tournament MVP honors yesterday after posting 24 kills in the two contests after returning from injury.
Earning honorable mention honors, Anthony has totaled 133 kills while hitting .368 for the season. Anthony has 21 aces on the year and is third on the team with 58 total blocks.
The Blue Jays await their NCAA Tournament fate with the Selection Show at 1230 pm today on ncaa.com.
