File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

RICHMOND, Va. - Freshman middle hitter Elena Delle Donne has been selected as the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week for the third time this season after earning the honor for her efforts during the University of Delaware volleyball team’s two matches last week.

In helping the Blue Hens post three-set sweeps against UNC Wilmington and Georgia State, Delle Donne led the team with 21 kills and seven blocks. She also ranked second on the squad with a .425 hitting percentage after recording just four errors on 40 attack attempts.

On Friday against the Seahawks, Delle Donne blasted 10 kills on just 20 swings. She also recorded a match-high four blocks, including two solo stops.

The following night against the Panthers, the freshman standout tied her season-high with a .500 hitting percentage after notching 11 kills against only one error. She also chipped in with a team-high three blocks.

With her two performances, she has now recorded at least three blocks in nine of the last 10 matches. She has also posted one in 23 straight contests, marking the longest streak by a Blue Hen since Michelle LaLonde had one in 33 consecutive matches from 2006-07.

On the season, Delle Donne leads the team with 76 blocks. Her 38 blocks in conference matches also rank third in the CAA, while her 1.06 blocks-per-set average in league play is fourth overall.

A starter in 22 of the team’s 25 matches, Delle Donne stands second on the team with a .214 hitting percentage and fourth with 157 kills.

She is the first three-time CAA Rookie of the Week winner since William & Mary’s Kim Mount won five during the 2005 season. Colleen Walsh was the last Blue Hen to accomplish the feat, winning three during the 2004 campaign.

The Blue Hens have now received five Rookie of the Week awards after Kim Stewart also won a pair earlier in the season. She also garnered the CAA Co-Player of the Week honor for her efforts last week.

Along with Delle Donne, the conference honored Hofstra’s Ashley Legerretta and William & Mary’s Kim Mount as Co-Players of the Week.

Delaware will be back in action on Friday when the team travels to Virginia Commonwealth for a 7 p.m. showdown.