Charlotte, N.C. (September 30, 2025) - Whether powering the attack or locking down the back row, these CIAA standouts turned in performances that demanded recognition, as the CIAA announces the Week Four Players of the Week.
Offensive Player – Holiday Ellis, Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State’s Holiday Ellis turned in a standout performance in the Rams’ thrilling five-set victory over Fayetteville State. Ellis was a force on the attack, recording 15 kills on 42 total attempts while also contributing two assists to keep the offense balanced. She showcased her all-around game by adding 12 digs on the defensive end, along with a service ace and a block to impact multiple facets of the match. Most notably, Ellis delivered when it mattered most, coming up with the decisive game-winning dig that sealed the 3-2 win for the Rams. Her combination of steady production and clutch play highlighted her value as a leader on the court.
Defensive Player - Kalia Morris, Shaw
Morris anchored Shaw’s back row with steady defensive leadership that allowed the Lady Bears to stay in control throughout two victories last week. Against Barton on September 23, the senior libero tallied 16 digs and three assists, helping Shaw dictate pace in a four-set win. She followed up with another commanding performance in the Lady Bears’ CIAA opener on September 25, finishing with 17 digs and three assists in a sweep of Johnson C. Smith. Over the two matches, Morris racked up 33 digs and six assists across seven sets, averaging 4.71 digs per set. In addition to her strong statistical showing, she reached a career milestone by collecting her 500th dig in a Shaw uniform, underscoring her importance as the defensive backbone of the team.
Setter - Ashlee Franklin, Virginia Union
Virginia Union’s Ashlee Franklin orchestrated the Lady Panthers’ offense with precision and consistency across three matches last week, delivering one of her strongest stretches of play this season. She highlighted her week with a career-high 29 assists in a historic win over Elizabeth City State, marking VUU’s first victory over the Vikings since 2019 and snapping a nine-match skid in the series. Franklin kept that momentum rolling into the weekend, dishing out 17 assists in a straight-set sweep of Eastern Mennonite that showcased her ability to control the tempo and create scoring opportunities. In addition to her work setting up the attack, Franklin was a defensive presence as well, finishing the week with 31 digs to round out her all-around contribution. By the end of the three-match stretch, she totaled 58 assists and proved to be a critical spark in Virginia Union’s success.
Rookie - Zaniya Harris, Claflin
Claflin’s Zaniyah Harris delivered a dominant offensive performance for the Lady Panthers last week, finishing with 32 total kills over two matches. She opened the week in impressive fashion with a career-high 17 kills on the road at Tuskegee, where she also showcased her versatility by adding 14 digs, two solo blocks, and a service ace. Harris carried that momentum into Claflin’s CIAA opener at home against Livingstone, tallying 15 more kills and chipping in two additional aces to help secure the win. Her ability to produce at a high level on both sides of the ball made her one of the week’s most impactful performers.
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University.
For more information, visit theciaa.com and follow the CIAA on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.