{"id":55029,"date":"2026-04-20T15:22:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T19:22:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/ume-hawks-hightower-sweeps-nec-weekly-honors-valentine-earns-defensive-award\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T15:22:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T19:22:05","slug":"ume-hawks-hightower-sweeps-nec-weekly-honors-valentine-earns-defensive-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/ume-hawks-hightower-sweeps-nec-weekly-honors-valentine-earns-defensive-award\/","title":{"rendered":"UME Hawks’ Hightower Sweeps NEC Weekly Honors, Valentine Earns Defensive Award"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n

University of Maryland Eastern Shore men’s volleyball player Joshua Hightower has been recognized with dual honors from the Northeast Conference, earning both Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week awards.<\/p>

This marks Hightower’s inaugural Player of the Week recognition, though he has previously claimed Rookie of the Week honors once before this season.<\/p>

Additionally, Hawks teammate Valentine received Defensive Player of the Week recognition, marking his seventh such honor this season and demonstrating his consistent defensive excellence throughout the campaign.<\/p>

The weekly awards highlight the strong performance of UMES volleyball players in conference competition and showcase the program’s talent across multiple categories.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball standout Joshua Hightower captured both Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week recognition from the Northeast Conference. Teammate Valentine also earned Defensive Player of the Week honors for the seventh time this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":55028,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[29,836],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776712924796.webp?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbtNqq-ejz","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":51505,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/umes-volleyball-star-valentine-earns-double-nec-weekly-honors-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":55029,"position":0},"title":"UMES Volleyball Star Valentine Earns Double NEC Weekly Honors","author":"Admin","date":"April 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball player Chase Valentine has been recognized with two Northeast Conference weekly awards. The standout athlete claimed both Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors for his exceptional performance.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776114353831.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776114353831.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776114353831.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776114353831.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776114353831.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47963,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/umes-volleyball-player-joshua-hightower-earns-nec-rookie-of-the-week-honor\/","url_meta":{"origin":55029,"position":1},"title":"UMES Volleyball Player Joshua Hightower Earns NEC Rookie of the Week Honor","author":"Admin","date":"April 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball player Joshua Hightower received Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week recognition. The award comes after Hightower's strong performance in two home victories against Long Island University.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775502408220.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775502408220.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775502408220.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775502408220.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1775502408220.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26586,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/umes-volleyball-star-valentine-earns-double-nec-weekly-honors-again\/","url_meta":{"origin":55029,"position":2},"title":"UMES Volleyball Star Valentine Earns Double NEC Weekly Honors Again","author":"Admin","date":"February 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball player Chase Valentine has captured both NEC Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week awards simultaneously. This marks the third time this season Valentine has achieved this dual recognition in the same week.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771964296542.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771964296542.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771964296542.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771964296542.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771964296542.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":21799,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/umes-volleyball-star-valentine-earns-double-nec-weekly-honors\/","url_meta":{"origin":55029,"position":3},"title":"UMES Volleyball Star Valentine Earns Double NEC Weekly Honors","author":"Admin","date":"February 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball player Chase Valentine has been recognized with two Northeast Conference weekly awards. The standout athlete earned both Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors from the NEC.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771364790064.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771364790064.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771364790064.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771364790064.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/news-1771364790064.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":31273,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/umes-hawks-trio-claim-nec-volleyball-weekly-honors-after-perfect-conference-start\/","url_meta":{"origin":55029,"position":4},"title":"UMES Hawks Trio Claim NEC Volleyball Weekly Honors After Perfect Conference Start","author":"Admin","date":"March 3, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Three University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's volleyball players earned Northeast Conference weekly recognition following their team's undefeated opening to conference play. Mills, Valentine, and Rowley were honored after the Hawks posted a 2-0 record in their initial NEC matches.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772584517002.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772584517002.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772584517002.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772584517002.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/news-1772584517002.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":55945,"url":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/three-ume-hawks-volleyball-players-receive-northeast-conference-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":55029,"position":5},"title":"Three UME Hawks Volleyball Players Receive Northeast Conference Awards","author":"Admin","date":"April 22, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball standouts Valentine, Mills, and Haynes have been recognized with Northeast Conference postseason awards. Valentine claimed both Rookie of the Year and First Team All-NEC honors, while Mills and Haynes earned Second Team recognition.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776888473027.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776888473027.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776888473027.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776888473027.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/news-1776888473027.webp?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tvdelmarva.com\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}