Army West Point Athletics
Marlee Lightsey Named Rookie of the Week for Third Straight Week
September 22, 2026 | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Freshman outside hitter Marlee Lightsey earned her third straight Patriot League Rookie of the Week honor on Tuesday.
Lightsey is the first Army player since 2013 to receive the honor for three consecutive weeks, the second-longest streak in Army Volleyball history. The longest streak belongs to Olivia Fairfield, who won the award for four consecutive weeks in October of 2013, plus went on to win Patriot League Rookie of the Year. Abby Casciato also won the award four weeks in a row in 2002.
The plebe earns her third recognition after finishing second on the team in kills for the week, adding 20 (2.86 k/s) for the Black Knights in their opening week of Patriot League play.
The freshman also added two blocks and one ace to finish with 22.0 points (3.14 p/s) on the week while also finishing with a .962 reception percentage on 52 attempts alongside adding 14 digs.
Lightsey earned her first career double-double of 13 kills and 10 digs in Army's win over Loyola Maryland.
Lightsey and the Black Knights will be back in action on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. ET inside Gillis Field House, taking on the Colgate University Raiders.
For fans who cannot make it to Gillis Field House, the game will stream live on ESPN+.
Player of the Week
9.1 – lise Sterling, American, Jr., Middle Blocker
9.8 – Ufuoma Omene, Lehigh, Sr., Right-Side
9.15 – Tiana Owens, Colgate, Jr., Outside Hitter
9.22 – Farrah Eike, Navy, Jr., Outside Hitter
Defensive Player of the Week
9.1 – Bella Marrero, American, Jr., Libero
9.8 – Nicole Stroud, Army West Point, Jr., Libero
9.15 – Lacey Murphy, Holy Cross, Jr., Middle Blocker
9.22 – Amara Chambers, Navy, Jr., Defensive Specialist/Libero
Rookie of the Week
9.1 – Kat Teepe, Holy Cross, Fr., Right-Side
9.8 – Marlee Lightsey, Army West Point, Fr., Outside Hitter
9.15 – Marlee Lightsey, Army West Point, Fr., Outside Hitter
9.22 – Marlee Lightsey, Army West Point, Fr., Outside Hitter
About the Patriot League
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League's athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.
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Army West Point Athletic Association, Inc. (AWPAA)
AWPAA is an IRS code 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established to execute the United States Military Academy's intercollegiate athletics program. AWPAA is led by a board of directors that provides guidance to the director of athletics, who serves as the primary advisor to the USMA Superintendent and the USMA leadership on all NCAA operations. The AWPAA mission is to recruit, educate, train and inspire leaders of character who are committed to the Army values through an extraordinary Division I athletic experience.
