Courtesy: Conference USA
IRVING, Texas – UTSA claimed a pair of victories over two league powers in FIU and Florida Atlantic this weekend, leading to three Conference USA weekly awards. Sophomore Hannah Froeschl picked up Offensive Player of the Week, while Amanda Gonzales earned C-USA’s setting honor and Hannah Lopez received Freshman of the Week. Rice extended its win streak to 10 matches behind a strong effort from Defensive Player of the Week Lee Ann Cunningham. All C-USA weekly awards are presented by Top of the World Headwear.
Offensive Player of the Week
Hannah Froeschl, UTSA, So., League City, Texas
UTSA toppled scorching FIU and Florida Atlantic squads this week in conference play with the help of Froeschl’s offensive prowess. The sophomore posted a career-high 18 kills on a career-best .516 attack percentage against an Owl team that came into the matchup having won 15 of its last 16 matches. She also contributed two blocks and a career-high 19 points on Sunday. The Texas product helped uproot FIU, who had taken six of its last seven matches heading into Friday, with her six kills and career-most seven blocks. Froeschl averaged a .420 hitting percentage and 3.17 points per set on the weekend against the pair of one-loss league foes.
Congrats to sophomore Hannah Froeschl, the C-USA Offensive Player of the Week! #BirdsUp🤙
📎 https://t.co/dRh2whjfpT pic.twitter.com/mJHxRuYo1K
— UTSA Volleyball (@UTSAvolleyball) October 15, 2018
Defensive Player of the Week
Lee Ann Cunningham, Rice, Jr., Louisville, Ky.
Cunningham anchored the Rice defense to a 2-0 week in league action. The junior compiled 40 digs (5.00/set) with just one reception error in 39 attempts. On Friday, the Owl pushed her first double-double of the year on 19 digs and a career-high 14 assists in 28 attempts in Rice’s five-set win over Marshall. The Louisville, Kentucky, native responded with a match-high 21 digs and seven helpers in a sweep of North Texas on Sunday. Her 20+ digs were the third-most by a C-USA player in three sets this season. The Rice libero was vital in keeping both opponents’ hitting percentages below .200. The award marks the junior’s second of the 2018 campaign.
📢: Congratulations to @RiceVolleyball’s Lee Ann Cunningham, #CUSAVB Defensive Player of the Week presented by @towbrand! 🏐⁰
🏅2️⃣ | #TheCUSAWay pic.twitter.com/EmlxfukwO1— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 15, 2018
Setter of the Week
Amanda Gonzales, UTSA, Sr., New Braunfels, Texas
Gonzales helped position the Roadrunner offense into second place in the C-USA standings after its 2-0 week. The senior lifted 37 helpers at a .398 clip to pair with 21 digs, good for her sixth double-double of the season, to defeat FIU in a five-set thriller. She then recorded 33 assists with six digs in the 3-1 victory against Florida Atlantic on Sunday. The Texas native averaged 7.78 assists and 3.00 digs per set on the weekend while UTSA improved to 6-1 in C-USA play.
Congrats to senior Amanda Gonzlaes, named the C-USA Setter of the Week! #BirdsUp🤙
📎 https://t.co/dRh2whjfpT pic.twitter.com/5Zaij5pxzE
— UTSA Volleyball (@UTSAvolleyball) October 15, 2018
Freshman of the Week
Hannah Lopez, UTSA, Fr., San Antonio, Texas
Lopez’s play powered UTSA to key wins against top C-USA squads this weekend, including her season’s fourth double-double with 16 kills and 11 digs in the win over the Panthers. She also hung an ace, two blocks and 18 points on Friday. Against the Owls on Sunday, the newcomer strung together 15 kills with an ace and seven kills in the Roadrunners’ 3-2 victory. She averaged 3.44 kills, 2.00 digs and 3.78 points per set with a .284 hitting clip on the weekend.
Congrats to Hannah Lopez, named the @ConferenceUSA Freshman of the Week! #BirdsUp🤙
📎 https://t.co/dRh2whAQhr pic.twitter.com/jnXBMERCzs
— UTSA Volleyball (@UTSAvolleyball) October 15, 2018
Leave a Reply