Courtesy: Big Sky Conference
OGDEN, Utah – Idaho’s Kaela Straw and Northern Arizona’s Heaven Harris were selected as the #BigSkyVB Players of the Week. Straw was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week, while Harris earned defensive recognition.
Straw, a senior outside hitter from Spokane, Wash., led Idaho to a 2-1 mark at the season-opening Idaho Volleyball Classic, including wins over Santa Clara (3-0) and Grand Canyon (3-2). Straw’s performance certainly helped Idaho land the best team hitting percentage (.275) and kills per set average (13.85) in the Big Sky last week. Individually, Straw led the Big Sky in hitting percentage (.420) and kills per set (4.46). The senior had a career-high 27 kills against New Mexico and those 27 kills are the most by a Vandal in a single match since 2012. Additionally, Straw recorded three of this week’s top-12 individual single-match hitting percentages in the Big Sky.
Congratulations to Kaela Straw on being named @BigSkyVB Offensive Player of the Week! Her 27 kills vs New Mexico are the most by a Vandal since 2012. #PointVandals pic.twitter.com/AZHTCJqSw1
— Vandal Volleyball (@IdahoVolleyball) August 27, 2018
Harris, a sophomore opposite hitter from Phoenix, Ariz., led NAU to a 3-1 start and an Aggie (UC Davis) Invitational victory over the weekend. Harris was a force on the defensive end, recording 22 total blocks at 1.29 per set. She helped NAU limit its four opponents to a combined hitting percentage of .151 – the lowest in the Big Sky during the opening weekend – with none of their opponents hitting higher than .182 in a single match. In particular, she was part of a defense that limited UC Davis to just a .179 clip after the Aggies hit .361 in their three previous victories.
The 🔨 is off to a great start. Look at those award worthy numbers 👌#NAUStrong ⚒️🌲💪 #BigSkyVB
📰 https://t.co/1HjnVnVuLe pic.twitter.com/GvkizduwFk
— NAU Volleyball (@NAUVolleyball) August 27, 2018
Other Offensive Nominees: Alexandra Espinosa – Eastern Washington; Abby Garrity – Idaho State; Missy Huddleston – Montana; Natalie Passeck – Montana State; Abby Akin – Northern Arizona; Kortney Lockey – Northern Colorado; Jenna Mullen – Portland State; Megan Gneiting – Weber State
Other Defensive Nominees: Catelyn Linke – Eastern Washington; Haylie Keck – Idaho State; Mackenzie Sullivan – Portland State; Paige Swinney – Sacramento State; Miahna Waters – Southern Utah; Rylin Roberts – Weber State
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