Missouri State senior outside hitter Lily Johnson earned her 10th career Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for her performance last weekend at the Pepperdine Asics Classic. This is the 10th time she’s earned this weekly award, which ties her for the most in conference history.
The Bears won 2 of 3 games at the tournament, falling 3-1 to then-#8 Washington and beating Wyoming and Pepperdine. Johnson was named to the all-tournament team after averaging 4.45 kills/set, 4.45 digs/set, and 5.23 points/set.
In total, she had 49 kills over the weekend, which brings her closer to both the school and Missouri Valley Conference records in career kills.
With 151 this season, she’s already moved to 3rd in Missouri Valley Conference history and 2nd in Missouri State history. The next target on her list is Michelle Witzke, who played for the Bears from 1994-1997 and recorded 1,919 kills. Johnson is only 50 kills from overcoming her, which, barring injury, gives her a good chance of breaking the record at home. Missouri State hosts the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational this weekend, where they’ll play Chattanooga, Washington State, Illinois, and Tennessee State. That record should fall against either Illinois or Tennessee State.
After that, only Bradley’s Lindsay Stalzer, with 1,948 kills, stands between Johnson and the Conference’s all-time list.
Career Kills
- 1,948 – Lindsay Stalzer, Bradley 2002-05
- 1,919 – Michelle Witzke, Missouri State 1994-97
- 1,870 – Lily Johnson, Missouri State 2014-pres.
- 1,779 – Molly O’Brien, UNI 2000-03
- 1,773 – Chris Rehor, Illinois State 1985-88
If Johnson can repeat her 604-kill season from last year, that would move her into the top 20 in NCAA history in career kills.
Other Weekly Honors from the MVC:
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Lily Johnson, Sr., OH, Missouri State
Missouri State’s Lily Johnson averaged 4.45 kills, 4.45 digs and 5.23 points per set to earn all-tournament honors at the Pepperdine Asics Classic over the weekend. Johnson began the tournament with 15 kills, 18 digs and four aces in four sets against eighth-ranked Washington Friday, and added 14 digs, three aces and eight kills in a sweep of Wyoming that same day. On Saturday, the senior carried the Bears to a 3-1 win at Pepperdine, hitting .383 with 26 kills and 17 digs against the Waves. This is Johnson’s 10th career MVC Player of the Week honor, tying her for first all time with UNI’s Molly O’Brien (2000-03).
Other Notable Performances: Erica Haslag (BRAD); Cathryn Cheek (DU); Jaelyn Keene (ILS); Morgan Gresham (LUC); Bri Weber (UNI); Brittany Anderson (VALPO)
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Emily Butters, Jr., Libero, Missouri State
Missouri State junior Emily Butters had 70 total digs in three matches last week, averaging 6.36 per set to go with three aces and 13 assists at the Pepperdine Asics Classic. Butters scooped a season-high 27 digs and handed out seven helpers against No. 8 Washington on Friday, and added 16 more digs, four assists and an ace to help the Bears sweep Wyoming in the evening contest. On Saturday, Butters equaled her season best with 27 more digs at Pepperdine, adding a pair of aces in a 3-1 Missouri State win.
Other Notable Performances: Yavianliz Rosado (BRAD); Kylee Macke (UD); Courtney Pence (ILS); Maddy Moser (LUC); Kendyl Sorge (UNI): Andrea Estrada (SIU); Sydney Bronner (VALPO)
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK:
Stef Jankiewicz, Fr., S, Illinois State
Illinois State’s Stef Jankiewicz had strong outings in the first matches of her career at Redbird Arena, as the freshman setter averaged 11.46 assists per set while guiding Illinois State to a 2-1 record and a second-place tournament finish. Jankiewicz also averaged 2.54 digs per set and added three aces and a pair of kills. She posted a pair of double-doubles in Saturday’s matches, tallying 56 assists and 10 digs against Seton Hall before going for 57 assists and a career-high 19 digs in a win over Cincinnati. Jankiewicz currently ranks third in the MVC by averaging 10.26 assists per set.
Other Notable Performances: Kylee Macke (DU); Allana McInnis (UE); Elle Van Grinsven (LUC); Jaydlin Seehase (UNI); Maggie Nedoma (SIU); Brittany Anderson (VALPO)
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