HACKENSACK, N.J.- For the third time this season, Jamal Ellis Carballo has picked up some conference-wide recognition. Following his latest performances, Ellis Carballo has been named the NEC Rookie of the Week.

Entering the week, the freshman from Puerto Rico was coming off the best match of his young career. In that one, Ellis Carballo totaled a FDU single-match record of 26 kills against Sacred Heart. This set the stage for an even more prolific week. It began on Friday night when Ellis Carballo totaled 30 kills against LIU on a .322 hitting percentage. His efforts helped FDU come within a point of taking one of the best teams in the conference to five-sets. Just 24 hours later, Ellis Carballo put together an equally impressive performance. He posted 30 kills on a blistering .458 hitting percentage, while collecting 10 digs, two assists, and an ace against Saint Francis Brooklyn.

Ellis Carballo now leads the entire NEC in kills per set at 4.17. He also leads the conference in points per set with 4.73. The freshman has paced the team with 246 total kills. His first-year campaign has consisted of five matches with over 20 kills.

"Jamal is connecting very well with our setters after a slow start. I believe there is still more to come." Head coach Karl France noted on the freshman.

Rui Fernandes is one of those setters who has set Ellis Carballo up for his extremely productive season. Fernandes is averaging 8.45 assists per set and sits third in the conference in digs per set.

This is the third time Ellis Carballo has been named NEC Rookie of the Week. It marks the fifth time a Knight has taken the honor back to Hackensack. Dylan McFadden and Naveen Fernando collected the honor in the early months of the season.

Ellis Carballo and the rest of FDU conclude their regular season schedule this weekend needing two wins if they hope to extend their season and qualify for the NEC Championships. They'll take on Daemen on Friday and then D'Youville on Saturday. Both of these matches will be at Stratis Arena and can be streamed on NEC Front Row.