BRUNSWICK, Maine – A pair of Polar Bears were honored in All-New England Small College Athletic Conference volleyball selections announced on Thursday. 
 
First-year Zoe Ryu (Washington, D.C.) was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-NESCAC selection while sophomore Alison Smith (Winnetka, Ill.) was a Second Team All-Conference choice. 
 
Zoe Ryu is the third straight Polar Bear to earn NESCAC Rookie of the Year, joining Skye LaMendola (2023) and Smith (2024), and the fifth overall (Kate Kiser, 2017 and Caroline Flaharty, 2016). Ryu led the NESCAC in service aces (40) while also ranking among the league leaders in kills (7^th, 2.87/set) and fifth in points (3.68/set). She was particularly outstanding in conference matches, averaging 3.58 kills/set. 
 
Alison Smith enjoyed a fantastic sophomore campaign, ranking ninth in the league in kills (2.82) and fourth in hitting percentage (.333). She was eighth in the NESCAC in points per set (3.20). Smith was also excellent against league opponents, averaging 3.06 kills/set while still hitting at a .327 rate. 
 
Bowdoin finished its season with a record of 14-10, advancing to the NESCAC Quarterfinals before falling in three close sets to eventual conference champion Tufts.