SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 15, 2025) – Western New England women's volleyball outside hitter Charlei Henkel has been named Conference of New England (CNE) Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the second straight week and fourth time overall in her career following a pair of wins this past weekend. 

Henkel opened the week in CNE action against Gordon College, leading the team with ten kills and producing just a single error over 46 attacks. Henkel also produced nine digs, a service ace, and a block against the Fighting Scots. 

In a weekend non-conference tri-match, Henkel continued to shine for the Golden Bears. The Centerton, Arkansas native produced six kills and just a single error again against New England College in a 3-0 sweep for Western New England. Henkel also picked up a pair of blocks and eight digs for WNE. Henkel and the Golden Bears finished off the afternoon sweep, dropping Elms College by a final score of 3-0 where Henkel continued to produce on the offensive and defensive ends for the blue and gold. Henkel ended the match against the Blazers with seven kills, hitting .250 for the match while coming up with four service aces, a block, and 11 digs for the blue and gold, well on their way to sweeping both contests. 

For the week, Henkel recorded 23 kills and just four attacking errors, hitting .283 from the floor. The first-year put up five aces, 28 digs, and four blocks in total, earning her fourth CNE Rookie of the Week honor. Henkel is now third in kills for the Golden Bears, owns the second-best hitting percentage on the team, and is six digs off the lead for the blue and gold. 

Western New England women's volleyball is back in action this coming Thursday, October 16 at 6:00 PM, traveling to Dean College for non-conference action. WNE returns to CNE play this coming weekend, Saturday, October 18 at 2:30 PM to take on Curry College on the road before returning home for CNE play against the University of Hartford on Wednesday, October 22.