Two members of the William Smith volleyball team were recognized by the Liberty League for their impressive performances last week. First-year Senya Dorny was named the conference's rookie of the week, while junior Arielle Newsome landed on the weekly honor roll for the fourth straight week.

The Herons went 2-1 last week, defeating RIT and Case Western 3-0 before dropping a non-conference match with No. 11 Calvin 3-0. William Smith improved to 17-5 overall and secured the second seed in the 2026 Liberty League Tournament.

Dorny had a standout week for the Herons, combining for 25 kills (.321), six service aces, five digs, three blocks and an assist. She averaged 2.78 kills per set, 0.67 service aces per set, 0.56 digs per set and 3.61 points per set. Dorny's week was highlighted by a 10-kill performance against the Tigers, hitting .529 with only one hitting error. She added a career-high five service aces, three digs, one block and one assist. Dorny then added seven kills (.136), one service ace and one dig against the Spartans before closing out the week with eight kills (.353), two blocks and a dig against the nationally ranked Knights.

The first-year from South Pasadena, California, is averaging 1.87 kills per set, 0.25 service aces per set, 0.59 blocks per set and 2.46 points per set. Dorny has recorded double-digit kills in three matches this season and is second on the team with 42 blocks.

Newsome landed on the honor roll after another dominant week that saw her average 2.33 kills per set, a .348 hitting percentage, 1.22 blocks per set and 3.39 points per set. She combined for 21 kills, 11 blocks, three digs, two service aces and an assist in three matches. Newsome's week was highlighted by a 12-kill (.500), three-block and two-service ace performance against Case Western. She also recorded a team-high four blocks against RIT and Calvin.

The junior from West Bloomfield, Michigan, ranks second in the Liberty League in hitting percentage (.345) and fourth in blocks per set (0.96). Newsome has recorded double-digit kills twice this season and leads the team with 70 total blocks.

William Smith will be back in action Saturday, Nov. 7, when it closes out its regular season with a tri-match at Haverford. The Herons will open up the action against No. 20 Batten (formerly Virginia Wesleyan) at 1 p.m. and will then face off against the host Fords at 3 p.m.