SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 13, 2026) – Three student-athletes, one from the Western New England women's volleyball team, and two from the Western New England women's soccer team, have been honored as Golden Bear Athletes of the Week following competition last week.
Léa Barber led the charge in Western New England's victory over Curry College in five sets, but also led the Golden Bears in a four-set effort at Nichols in mid-week competition. Barber opened the week by producing 13 kills over 49 attacks against the Bison, hitting .069 for the match. Barber also collected a solo block, a service ace, and 14 digs for the match, producing 15 total points for the Blue and Gold overall. Barber then got Western New England back to its winning ways over the weekend in a five-set thriller over Curry College, leading the way on the attack with 19 kills on a .295 hitting percentage for the match. Defensively, Barber picked up a pair of blocks and collected two digs for the Golden Bears in a 3-2 win. Barber now has 131 kills over nine matches on the season, collecting at least ten kills in every match played on the year.
Abigail Alicandro was a big part in Western New England women's soccer's weekend win over Suffolk University, picking up assists on both goals in a 2-0 win. Alicandro set up
Meghan Hartnett on the first goal of the game just nine minutes into the contest, while a second-half goal from
Sophia Scyocurka iced the win for the
Golden Bears on another assist from Alicandro, helping the Golden Bears pick up a much-needed Conference of New England victory over Suffolk. Alicandro, who played in all 90 minutes last Saturday afternoon, has scored a goal and also had three assists on the season.
Ainsley Napolitano continues to be the anchor for the Golden Bears between the pipes, coming away with 13 saves over two games this week. Napolitano made five saves in a close 2-1 loss for the Golden Bears at Endicott College. The WNE senior bounced back by making all eight saves in the weekend victory over Suffolk, recording her four 90-minute shutout of the season and sixth total shutout of the year. Napolitano saw 24 total shots against Suffolk, a season high, while tying a season-high (done twice already), with eight saves.
The Western New England women's volleyball is back in action on home court on Wednesday, October 14 at 5:00 PM when Elms College visits Springfield. WNE women's soccer plays on the road at Fitchburg State University tonight, October 13 at 6:00 PM, and will be back at home on Saturday, October 17, taking on Johnson & Wales University at 12:00 PM.
