UTICA, NY - Vanessa Hall (Independence, NY/Whitesville Central) and Andrew Della Rovere (Caledon East, Ontario) have been named the Pioneer Athletes of the Week for the week of December 1st.

Hall led the Pioneers in a big non-conference win this past Tuesday, scoring a game-high 22 points to help secure the 75-67 win over visiting Norwich. In addition to a top-tier scoring output, Hall dominated in many other areas of the matchup, falling one rebound short of a double-double, with nine boards, while also grabbing an assist, a block, and a steal in addition to going 2-3 from deep and 2-2 from the charity stripe. The Independance, NY native was also named the Co-Empire 8 Player of the Week for her performance in that game.

Hall and the women's basketball team will compete against two more non-conference foes this week, traveling to face RPI tonight at 5:00 PM, before welcoming SUNY Canton to Miga Court on Wednesday at 5:00 PM. The team will head to winter break following those matchups.

Della Rovere continued his Utica Thanksgiving Showcase stardom, as he followed up last year's MVP campaign with an equally impactful outing during the annual event this past weekend. The Pioneer center scored two goals and assisted one during the tournament, with one of his goals landing as an overtime game-winner to send the team to the Utica Thanksgiving Showcase Championship Game. He also dominated on the draw all weekend long, taking 34 of a possible 55 faceoff opportunities to finish with a 61.8% win rate during the pair of games. Della Rovere was one of three Pioneers who were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Della Rovere and the men's hockey team await Oswego State on Saturday in this year's annual New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss game. The much-anticipated matchup kicks off at 7:00 PM on Saturday from the Adirondack Bank Center.