BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Amaris Smith's first collegiate matches with the LIU women's volleyball team landed the outside hitter her first-ever collegiate honor. 

Smith was named Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week on Monday.
 
The outside hitter from Castle Rock, Colo., led the Sharks in kills during the season-opening three matches at the Arizona Cactus Classic in Tucson.
 
Smith notched 24 kills alone in a dramatic five-set victory against Alabama State. In that match, LIU rallied from a two-set deficit. 

"We threw Amaris in the deep end, and I think we all got a chance to see what she is capable of," head coach Ken Ko said. "The Alabama State performance was impressive on its own, but the context of coming back from being down two sets, she can handle a lot."
 
LIU next will participate at the Bucknell Invitational this weekend. The Sharks first face NJIT on Friday at 3:30 p.m.