SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (September 8, 2026) – Western New England women's volleyball's Léa Barber and WNE men's soccer's Brendan L'Italien have been named Golden Bear Athletes of the Week following outstanding weeks to begin their 2026 fall campaigns. 

Barber put up double-digit kills in all four of Western New England's matches this past week. The junior led the team to victory with a 3-0 win over Bard College, smashing down 20 kills over 44 attacks, hitting .341 for the match. Barber also produced ten digs, three blocks, and two service aces in the victory. Despite WNE falling in three matches during its California trip, Barber continues to impress on the hardwood. The Bethany, Connecticut, native produced 14 kills and a .242 attacking percentage against Carleton College, coming away with 11 digs, three blocks, and a service ace in the match. Barber went on to pick up 12 kills against Occidental College and ten against Pomona-Pitzer, racking up 56 total kills over the week over 171 attacks for the Blue and Gold. Barber picked up 41 digs, seven blocks, and five service aces for WNE on the week. 

L'Italien played in and made starts in all three games for WNE men's soccer this past week, earning a 1-1-1 record. The WNE transfer allowed just three goals over those three games, making 13 saves and posting a shutout during the week. L'Italien made four saves and didn't allow any goals in a 0-0 draw with Western Connecticut to open the season. The WNE junior picked up three saves in a 1-0 loss for the Golden Bears to Thomas College, before earning his first career collegiate win in Blue and Gold in a victory over WPI this past Sunday, making six saves in a 3-2 win. L'Italien earned a .813 save percentage for the week and dots a 1.00 goals against average overall. 

The Western New England women's volleyball team returns to the floor this coming weekend in a tri match at SUNY Polytechnic Institute with SUNY Potsdam on Saturday, September 12 at 2:00 and 4:00 PM. 

WNE men's soccer takes on No. 7 Wheaton College (Mass.) this coming Wednesday, September 9 at 4:00 PM, looking to avenge a close 2-1 defeat in 2025.