Women's Basketball: Motivala named GNAC Rookie of the Week

Story written and posted by Anthony Perry, Rivier University Sports Information Director

WINTHROP, MASS. – The Great Northeast Athletic Conference announced earlier today that Rivier University freshman Arianna Motivala (Nashua, N.H.) has been named the conference's Rookie of the Week for Women's Basketball.

Motivala had a fantastic opening week for the Raiders, who are just 1-4 after the first five games of the season. The rookie has recorded double-digit points in each of those five games, including scoring 21 points in the team's setback against Maine Maritime yesterday. In the team's 73-62 win over Northern Vermont University-Johnson, Motivala netted 15 points and handed out eight assists. For the opening week, she averaged 14.2 points per game to go along with 4.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. She shot a team leading 37.3% (19-51 FG, 8-24 3PT, 25-30 FT) and was named to the Tyler Tip-Off All-Tournament Team.

The first-year guard becomes the latest Raider to receive GNAC honors. She joins current sophomore Cydney Lessard (Auburn, N.H.) as current members of the Women's Basketball team to receive conference Rookie of the Week honors. Lessard was named GNAC Rookie of the Week on November 26, 2018.

Motivala and the Women's Basketball team return to the court tomorrow evening as they travel north to Plymouth State University for an in-state battle with the Panthers. Game time is set for 5:30pm.