BOSTON, Mass. – The New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) has announced its weekly awards and Mount Holyoke College student-athlete Xajaah Williams-Flores was recognized. The senior captain and guard/forward garnered Defensive Athlete of the Week honors for the first time in her career after a solid week which saw her shine off the glass.
A native of the Bronx, N.Y., Williams-Flores had an outstanding defensive effort for the Lyons last week, recording a team-best 29 rebounds. Of her caroms, 11 came off the offensive glass. She opened the week with a 19-rebound effort against non-conference foe, Norwich.
Playing all 40 minutes, Williams-Flores grabbed 10 caroms off the offensive glass, which was also a game-high. In that contest, she also added eight points, an assist, a block and a game-best four steals. She went on to record a team-best 10 points with 10 rebounds – her third double-double of the season – in a road loss at NEWMAC-rival MIT on Saturday.
A starter in 21 games this season, Williams-Flores currently leads the team in rebounding with a 10.4 margin. She is also second in points per game with 8.2. Overall, she has posted 172 points, 218 rebounds (59 offensive) with 15 assists, eight blocks and 33 steals.
Among the NEWMAC's best, Williams-Flores is currently tied for second in overall rebounding average. She also leads the conference in overall defensive rebounds (7.6). Over 13 conference games, the former Holderness School standout is third in rebounding average (9.6), but leads all players in defensive rebounding (7.3).
As a junior, Williams-Flores played in all 24 games, including 22 as a starter. She averaged 4.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while leading the team in blocks with 11. On the season, she recorded 116 points, 11 assists, and 138 rebounds. During her sophomore campaign, she played in all 25 games, scoring 34 points with 77 rebounds with 10 assists, five blocks and 10 steals. Williams-Flores appeared in four games as a rookie, averaging 4.3 points per game.
Mount Holyoke (2-20; 0-14 NEWMAC) closes out its regular season schedule at home this week, beginning Wednesday as MHC hosts Smith for a 7pm contest. Mount Holyoke concludes on Saturday at 1pm, hosting Coast Guard Academy. Wednesday's match will be the Lyons 'You Can Play' game, while Saturday will see MHC honor their two graduating seniors, including Williams-Flores.
