Sports Imports/AVCA Division III Men's Player of the Week

Curtis Abram torched his opponents for a whopping 110 kills last week. (photo courtesy Emmanuel athletics.)

Abram Picks Up 1,000th Kill, MVP Honors as Saints Go 6-0

March 8 - Curtis Abram, a 6-2 outside hitter for Emmanuel College has been named the Sports Imports/AVCA Men's Division III National Player of the Week. He earned the award for his efforts in propelling the Saints to a 6-0 week, including victories over three teams ranked in the top-ten of the AVCA Men's Division III Coaches Top 15 Poll. Abram kicked things off by tallying 17 kills, four digs, three blocks and two aces in Emmanuel's first upset of the week, a four-set verdict over then-No. 6 Rivier. Next up, the junior notched a double-double in the Saints' 3-2 win over then-No. 10 MSOE, bashing 27 kills and picking up 13 digs in the process. In Emmanuel's sweep of New Haven to begin the MIT Invitational, the spark plug turned in another 17-kill outing, while also adding seven digs and three aces. Abram continued his hot streak by putting down 11 kills and picking up four digs in a whitewashing of Bard. He turned in his second 20-plus kill outing of the week in the Saints' 3-1 victory over then-No. 7 Carthage, smashing 25 bombs, in addition to grabbing eight digs. Abram capped his stellar play with a 13-kill, six-dig, five-block outing in Emmanuel's blanking of Mount Saint Vincent.  For the week, Abram, who was named the MVP of the MIT Invitational, hit at a .411 clip and averaged 5.00 kills, 1.91 digs and 5.73 points per game.  This marks just the second time an athlete from Emmanuel has been awarded Sports Imports/AVCA Men's Division III National Player of the Week accolades. The last Saint to take home the honor was Michael Townsend March 23, 2009. Emmanuel is coached by Chris Wright.