Jones, Hiemstra Sweep Ivy League Weekly Awards
9/8/2026 1:29:00 PM | Volleyball
First time since 2019 the Lions have taken both awards in the same week
PRINCETON, N.J. – For the first time since late September 2019, the Columbia volleyball team has swept the Ivy League Weekly Awards. Senior Avery Jones was named the Player of the Week and first-year Elise Hiemstra was named the Newcomer of the Week, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday afternoon.
Jones and Hiemstra are the first two Columbia players to earn a weekly award in the same week since former Lions Chichi Ikwuazom and Kiara Robichaud swept the awards on Sept. 23, 2019.
This is the first Player of the Week award for Jones, who was sensational in the opening weekend for the Lions. The native of Studio City, Calif., tallied a team-high 31 kills, averaging 2.58 kills per set while hitting .329 as Columbia went 3-0 in the Big Apple Tournament.
In the tournament finale against Lafayette, Jones tallied 18 kills on 31 swings for a .548 attack percentage. She also added two digs and five total blocks as the Lions defeated the Leopards in three sets to open the year 3-0 for the first time since 2014.
Hiemstra was a force on the other side. The first-year outside hitter from Birmingham, Mich., appeared in seven sets, notching 28 kills, averaging 4.00 kills per set while hitting .418. In her collegiate debut against Iona, Hiemstra tallied a match-high 19 kills on 39 swings for a .410 attack percentage.
In the tournament finale against Lafayette, she made a tremendous impact off the bench. In three sets, she hit .438, tallying nine kills on 16 swings with eight digs.
The Lions look to add to their hot start when they travel to Erie, Pa., to participate in the Laker Invitational hosted by Mercyhurst. The Lions opened the tournament on Friday, battling the Lakers at 1 p.m.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on Columbia volleyball, follow @CULionsVB on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Jones and Hiemstra are the first two Columbia players to earn a weekly award in the same week since former Lions Chichi Ikwuazom and Kiara Robichaud swept the awards on Sept. 23, 2019.
This is the first Player of the Week award for Jones, who was sensational in the opening weekend for the Lions. The native of Studio City, Calif., tallied a team-high 31 kills, averaging 2.58 kills per set while hitting .329 as Columbia went 3-0 in the Big Apple Tournament.
In the tournament finale against Lafayette, Jones tallied 18 kills on 31 swings for a .548 attack percentage. She also added two digs and five total blocks as the Lions defeated the Leopards in three sets to open the year 3-0 for the first time since 2014.
Hiemstra was a force on the other side. The first-year outside hitter from Birmingham, Mich., appeared in seven sets, notching 28 kills, averaging 4.00 kills per set while hitting .418. In her collegiate debut against Iona, Hiemstra tallied a match-high 19 kills on 39 swings for a .410 attack percentage.
In the tournament finale against Lafayette, she made a tremendous impact off the bench. In three sets, she hit .438, tallying nine kills on 16 swings with eight digs.
The Lions look to add to their hot start when they travel to Erie, Pa., to participate in the Laker Invitational hosted by Mercyhurst. The Lions opened the tournament on Friday, battling the Lakers at 1 p.m.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on Columbia volleyball, follow @CULionsVB on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
Players Mentioned
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Friday, October 10
