As we approach midseason, National Player of the Year candidates are emerging and cementing their status. In no particular order, here’s our mid-season watch list.
1. Carli Snyder
This 6’1″ senior outside hitter has been putting up gaudy stats for the whole 2017 campaign. With wins against Texas, Nebraska and Kentucky, she’s shown her ability to come up big when it counts. Snyder averages 4.20 points, 3.42 kills and 3.45 digs per set. Her strong jump serve has also scored 35 aces on the season.
The #SEC Home opener ends in Sweep fashion with a @carli_snyder Ace! #MatchPoint #GatorsWin ?? pic.twitter.com/xhbeb499pc
— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) September 30, 2017
Samantha Seliger-Swenson is one of the best setters in arguably the best volleyball conference in the nation. Seliger-Swenson ranks #2 in the nation with 12.20 assists per set. With 208 digs and 45 blocks, she impacts her team in all facets of the game. Her team is hitting .288 on the season with four hitters over .280 – in spite of a very young offensive group.
#Gophers Samantha Seliger-Swenson has been named @B1GVolleyball's Setter of the Week 5⃣times this year. ? https://t.co/rvLVbI9kcO pic.twitter.com/TXBP9qFYOg
— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) October 30, 2017
Last season’s National Freshmen of the Year hasn’t disappointed in her sophomore campaign. The converted opposite hitter has been lighting it up on the left side for Stanford, tallying 431 kills, 113 blocks and 224 digs. While only a sophomore, her numbers speak volumes even in comparison to more senior players.
4. Adora Anae
This Hawaii native traveled far for college, ending up at Utah. All of the travel has been worth it for the 2016 All-American. She’s recorded 344 kills and 246 digs for the Utes thus far. A force at the net, she’s also put down 38 points with her blocking skills.
Congratulations @anaealator on becoming Utah's all-time career leader in kills! pic.twitter.com/81cHFqcrPR
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) October 8, 2017
5. Micaya White
With top 10 recruits year after year, Texas always has a NPOY candidate on the court. Micaya White is no exception. For 2017, she’s scored 479 kills (.273), 263 digs and 83 blocks. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also tough from the baseline with 25 aces.
Guess what time it is! It's time for the @VolleyMetrics Rally of the Week!
cc: @TexasVolleyball + @WVUVolleyball pic.twitter.com/bh6Od13hq2
— AVCA (@AVCAVolleyball) October 30, 2017
Leading the nation with an astronomical .513 hitting percentage on 250 kills, Haleigh Washington is on fire for Penn State. With 117 blocks already for 2017, it’s no wonder that she recently reached the 500 career blocks milestone. The senior middle blocker paces the Nittany Lions to a whopping .349 hitting percentage, the best in the country and shows no signs of slowing down.
What's a good reaction when you hit 500 career blocks?
"@Hales__Yeah!"
(Great Twitter handle for the @PennStateVBALL star, too.) pic.twitter.com/ppVuRzp81U
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) October 26, 2017
7. Dana Rettke
In her first collegiate season, Rettke has already set a new record with 7 Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. The 6’8″ middle scores 4.45 points per set, with an average of 3.43 kills and 1.41 blocks. With a .657 and .500 hitting percentage against Minnesota and Nebraska respectively, she’s shown she can be clutch against top competition.
Still four weeks left in the regular season and @dana_rettke has already set @B1GVolleyball record with 7⃣ Freshman of the Week honors! pic.twitter.com/lkmrXhacsD
— Wisconsin Volleyball (@BadgerVB) October 30, 2017
8. Kelsie Payne
The Kansas career leader in hitting percentage and two time All-American has continued her dominance this season. She’s a force at the net with 345 kills (.311) and 55 blocks. While her strength is above the net, Payne gives nothing away in the back row with 179 digs. Already the career leader in single-season kills, Payne is pursuing the career kill leader to cap off her senior season.
9. Leah Edmond
Leah Edmond is only a sophomore, but you wouldn’t know that from her stats.As the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2016, Edmond has built on her success. The Lexington native has scored 345 kills (.311), 49 blocks and 149 digs. A threat in all six rotations, Edmond has also served 24 aces.
Good Luck @UKCoachSkinner and @KentuckyVB tonight! #PACKMEMORIAL pic.twitter.com/O96I6iyxTt
— Mark Stoops (@UKCoachStoops) November 1, 2017
10. Kelly Hunter
Despite missing early matches with an injury, the 2015 national champion and returning All-American setter has come back with a vengeance. Hunter has recorded 721 assists and 53 kills for her team. Defensively she’s no slouch, notching 186 digs and 32 blocks for her team.
Kelly Hunter dumps kills on back-to-back rallies and Michigan takes a timeout! #Huskers lead 14-10 in set 1. It's a 6-1 Husker run. pic.twitter.com/Flz9NyN2cy
— Husker Volleyball (@Huskervball) October 29, 2017
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