Hall of Fame football coach Bear Bryant once said, “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.” For six weeks, VolleyMob has honored standout offensive and all-around efforts, but for the first time in 2017, VolleyMob is honoring a defensive player as our National Player of the Week.
Tulsa libero Taylor Horsfall notched 8.3 digs per set, including a historic effort, in the Golden Hurricane’s five-set matches with UCF and USF. The sophomore pulled up a school record 44 digs in the win over UCF, while helping Tulsa limit the Golden Knights to a .136 hitting effort. The Houston native followed that with a 39 dig, eight assist performance against the Bulls. For her efforts, Horsfall earned American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Honorable Mention
Catie Cronister, Wofford – So., OH
Southern Conference Off. POW; 3 double-doubles vs. Presbyterian, UNCG and Western Carolina; 5.43 kills per set, 3.64 digs per set, six aces and six blocks. Downed 22 kills, hit .333 and added 16 digs vs. Presbyterian; notched a career-high 30 kills and 20 digs with two blocks and two aces vs. UNCG; 24 kills, 15 digs, four aces, 2 blocks vs. Western Carolina.
Adora Anae, Utah – Sr.,
Pac 12 POW; 5.00 kps, .250 hitting, 3.00 dps, 3 blocks; 25 kills and 11 digs vs. Washington; 20 kills, 16 digs vs. WSU; became all-time career kills leader (1635)
Taylor Smith, Eastern Illinois – Jr., S/OH
Notched fourth triple double of the season; averaged 5.86 assists, 3.57 kps (25 kills), 1.42 bps (10 blocks), 4.00 dps (28 digs) .Tallied 13 kills, 22 assists, 20 digs vs. UT Martin; 12 kills, .407, 19 assists, 3 aces, 5 blocks, 8 digs vs. SEMO
Tabitha Brown, Wichita State – Jr., OH
4.83 kps, 4.17 dps, .324; 14 kills, 10 digs, 1 block, 1 ace at Tulane; 15 kills, 15 digs, 1 block vs. Houston
Bri Weber, Northern Iowa – Jr., OH
4.67 kps, 4.83 dps in wins over Indiana State, Evansville; 20 kills, .514, 9 digs, vs. ISU; 20 digs, 8 kills, .261, 2 aces vs. Evansville
Other Notables
Carlyle Nusbaum, Lipscomb – Jr., OH
Nika Markovic, Pittsburgh – So., RS
Haleigh Washington, Penn State – Sr., MB
Erin Hoppe, Texas State – Sr., S
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