MARLBOROUGH, Mass. - The NEWMAC has announced its Athlete of the Week honorees for the week ending February 15, 2026, and Salve Regina University senior forward Sofia Neary has been selected as the Defensive Player of the Week for women's basketball (for the second week in a row).

Senior Sofia Neary (Wayne, N.J.) continued her streak of double-doubles (now 19 in 23 games) while averaging 25.0 points per game and 12.5 rebounds per game in a pair of road contests. She picked up two steals in each game to average 2.0 steals per game, along with 1.5 blocks per game. At Babson, where the Seahawks outscored the Beavers in three of four quarters, Neary made 8-of-12 from the floor and 9-of-11 from the line. All 10 boards were on the defensive glass. At Wheaton, Neary led all players in scoring (25) and rebounding (15) while again snaring 10 defensive boards. She currently ranks fourth in the country among Division III players with double-doubles (19) and free throws made (146).

Salve Regina (8-15, 2-7 NEWMAC) hosts Mount Holyoke College on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with a 7 p.m. tip-off on FloCollege.

About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 12 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, United States Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with four Associate Members: Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), and United States Merchant Marine Academy (Football), while sponsoring 20 sports.