BENNINGTON, Vt. - Southern Vermont men's volleyball setter Ricky Harrington garnered the New England Collegiate Conference Rookie of the Week award after posting solid numbers last week against St. Joseph's (N.Y.). Harrington helped lead the green and white spikers to a 2-0 record on the week, notching their first wins in two years.

Harrington tallied 43 assists, six kills, six digs, five aces and two blocks. Over the two-match span, Harrington had a .364 attack percentage while dishing up 6.14 assists per set.

In high school the North Adams native was a three sport athlete playing soccer, basketball, and baseball.

Since joining the team this winter he has learned a lot about the sport of volleyball from new Head Coach Tim Cole.

"I think the way we train and prep for the games is a big reason why our team is competing each game," said Harrington of Coach Cole's turning the program around. "The style and the energy coach expects from us in practice is the reason why there has been such an improvement. We go to practice expecting to learn and better our self every day, which allows us to carry on to our games."

Harrington, who is studying criminal justice with a minor in business at SVC, has high hopes for the rest of the season.

"I think the two wins were huge confidence builders," Harrington said. "I personally much more confident leaving the gym Friday night, and I know my teammates were too. I think with the remainder of the season if we play with confidence we will win games."

The young Mountaineers squad is beginning to click, "Those matches were a great success because we were all relaxed and focused," said Harrington about last weeks wins. "We were able to pass and hit with out making many errors, which allowed us to play our game. We also did an excellent job blocking without making many net errors."

Despite the victories SVC has many challenges ahead of them as they still have to face Elms College and Newbury College; the two toughest teams in the NECC.

Regardless the program is starting to see positive results from Coach Cole, "I think this program is going to be a lot better in the next couple of years," said Harrington. "He's not only recruiting heavily to better the program, but he's getting new equipment."

The Mountaineers are getting ready to host Elms College next Wednesday at the SVC Fieldhouse. The match starts at 7:00 p.m.