SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 2, 2025) – Western New England women's volleyball first-year outside hitter Charlei Henkel has been named the Conference of New England Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week, as announced by the head office on Tuesday afternoon. 

Henkel was a standout performer for the Golden Bears this past week at the Mustang Classic at SUNY Morrisville, where Western New England women's volleyball would come up with a pair of wins on the weekend. Henkel began her collegiate debut with 13 kills and a .222% attacking percentage in a five-set match against Alfred State College, coming up with eight digs and a block in the match. 

Henkel continued her impressive first weekend as a Golden Bear by totaling 14 more kills over three matches, two of which came as wins for the blue and gold. Henkel tallied 27 total kills over the weekend and a .168% attack percentage. The Centerton, Arkansas native collected 12 service aces during the week, including six in a match against SUNY Morrisville. 

Henkel and the Golden Bears return to the hardwood on Friday, September 5 at 5:00 PM to take on SUNY Oswego at Amherst College for a weekend tournament that will feature three more matches for WNE women's volleyball.