Junior defensive back A.J. Scola has been a formidable force for Amherst's defense. He ranks second in the NESCAC with a total of four interceptions, and third in passes defended this fall.

Scola started the season with stellar performances. He picked off two decisive passes and ran the ball back to gain 15 yards against Bowdoin College. Scola took another pair of interceptions, one of which he ran back 44 yards, in the match against Colby College. He pushed the Jeffs' lead to 13-0 in the second quarter.

Scola has been instrumental in Amherst's solid defense, only allowing 38 points to be scored against the Jeffs in four games.

• Jaclyn DeMais '08

Senior outside hitter Jaclyn DeMais has clearly lived up to her impressive record from last season. Named to the First Team All-NESCAC, she also held fourth place for hitting percentage.

DeMais has already claimed NESCAC Player of the Week honors on Sept. 10, for her leading performance in the Roger Williams Invitational. She had a total of 43 kills in the victory.

She is always a key offensive player and leads in number of kills made for conference rankings, averaging 4.71 per game. In the most recent match against Williams College, DeMais made the game-winning kill.