The Missouri Vally Conference has announced Missouri State’s Lily Johnson as the Player of the Week. Also earning nods this week are Missouri State’s Emily Butters and Drake’s Gillian Gergen.
Player of the Week
Lily Johnson – Missouri State – senior
Johnson was a monster this week for Missouri State as they picked up two road wins this past week. On average, Johnson slammed down 5.56 kills, 5.56 digs, o.67 blocks and 6.0 points per set on a .270 hitting clip.
In the team’s win over Drake, Johnson recorded 28 kills on a career-best 32 digs – Johnson is now the second player in school history and first since 1989 to record at least 25 kills and more than 30 digs in a match. Additionally, against Drake, Johnson posted four blocks. In the team’s win over UNI – a battle of the Missouri Vally unbeaten – Johnson posted 22 kills, including 12 on 20 swings in the fourth set alone with no errors. Johnson also added 18 digs, two blocks and an ace in the win.
Defensive Player of the Week
Emily Butters – Missouri State – junior
Missouri State garners another award this week in the team’s libero, Butters, who averaged 7.44 digs per set on the week. Butters was also flawless on her 97 service receptions for the week.
In the team’s win over Drake, Butters picked up a career-high 44 digs – the second most in Missouri State history, fifth-most in the Missouri Valley Conference and the third-most this NCAA season. In the Bears win over UNI, Butters picked up another 23 digs and posted 10 assists for a double-double.
Freshman of the Week
Gillian Gergen – Drake – freshman
Drake split their matches this weekend, with Gergen posting 11 blocks in the two matches. Gergen also added 16 kills on a .317 hitting percentage and seven digs.
In the team’s loss to Missouri State, Gergen posted 10 kills and eight blocks and followed up her performance with six kills and three blocks in Drake’s win over SIU. Gergen is currently leading the Missouri Valley Conference in blocks this season with 1.33 blocks per set and has posted three or more blocks in ever Missouri Valley Conference match this season.
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