Army West Point Athletics
Stroud, Lightsey Receive Patriot League Weekly Honors
September 08, 2026 | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Junior libero Nicole Stroud and freshman outside hitter Marlee Lightsey claimed the first Patriot League awards of the 2026 season on Tuesday.
Stroud was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week, while Lightsey was named Rookie of the Week. This is the first time either athlete has earned a weekly award from the Patriot League.
The duo, both from Texas, helped lead Army to a 3-0 week at the UT Arlington Tournament, located in Arlington, Texas. The Black Knights defeated Sam Houston State, Kent State and UT Arlington. The team also did not drop a set all weekend, defeating all opponents in 3-0 sweeps.
Stroud finished the weekend leading Army's back line, earning a team-high 40 digs (4.44 per set) alongside a .939 reception percentage, committing only two errors. She also earned 11 assists and three aces.
As for Lightsey, the plebe finished the week with 20 kills, 22 digs, two blocks and two aces while hitting on the outside.
Her big game came against Kent State on Friday, recording a match-high 16 kills on 28 attacks without a single attack error for a .571 hitting percentage. She added 14 digs, two service aces and one block assist for a match-best 18.5 total points.
Alongside the two award winners, Juliette Myrick also received an honorable mention for her performance at the UT Arlington Tournament. She went on to be named the Tournament MVP and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Stroud, Lightsey, Myrick and the Black Knights are back in action on Friday, September 11 at 12 p.m. ET, when they will take on Liberty at the Hofstra Tournament.
Player of the Week
9.1 – lise Sterling, American, Jr., Middle Blocker
9.8 – Ufuoma Omene, Lehigh, Sr., Right-Side
Defensive Player of the Week
9.1 – Bella Marrero, American, Jr., Libero
9.8 – Nicole Stroud, Army West Point, Jr., Libero
Rookie of the Week
9.1 – Kat Teepe, Holy Cross, Fr., Right-Side
9.8 – 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.
