SPARTANBURG, S.C. - College of Charleston's Whitney Russell, UNCG's Kayren Finney and Samford's Katie Murphy won the SoCon Offensive, Defensive and Freshman Volleyball Player of the Week for August 30, respectively, the Southern Conference office announced today.
A senior outside hitter, Russell tied a career-high with 22 kills in the fourth match of the Northern Invitational against host-school Northern Illinois. In all three matches she played, she led the team in kills. Russell also had 14 digs in the match with Northern Illinois, setting a new career-best in that category. In her first match against South Dakota, Russell set a career-high for assists with three and had 12 kills and only one error for a .500 hitting efficiency.
Russell, a Decatur, Ga., native, was selected to the Northern Illinois Invitational All-Tournament Team for her excellent play in leading her team to a 3-1 record with victories against South Dakota, Chicago State and Oakland.
Next up for Russell and the Cougars is the Winthrop Invitational September 3-4 in Rock Hill, S.C. College of Charleston will face in-state rivals Winthrop, South Carolina and Clemson.
Kayren Finney, a senior middle blocker from Danville, Va., took league honors with her defensive effort in the Spartan Classic in Norfolk, Va. Her 1.56 blocks per set was a team high and helped UNCG to an undefeated weekend with wins over Navy, Kent State, Norfolk State and Providence. Finney posted a team-high 25 blocks during the tournament, five of which were solo blocks.
The Spartans and Finney return to action on Wednesday, September 1 with a trip to North Carolina Central before heading to Wilmington for the UNCW Courtyard by Marriot Tournament this weekend. In Wilmington, UNCG will face South Carolina State, Central Florida and UNC Wilmington.
The SoCon's Freshman of the Week went to Katie Murphy of Samford. The middle blocker from Sterling Heights, Mich., posted an outstanding performance in her collegiate debut. Murphy was one of the top three performers in each match. She knocked down 10 kills (.333) against Grambling, 12 kills (.346) against UMKC and seven kills (.353) against Arkansas. Murphy helped lead the Bulldogs to a 2-1 record at the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., with wins over Grambling and UMKC.
Samford plays a midweek match against Troy on September 1 before hosting the Samford Invitational. The Bulldogs will face Northwestern State, North Texas, Tennessee Tech and Syracuse in Birmingham, Ala., this weekend.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week were Appalachian State's Meghann Forshey, The Citadel's Kaona Mercer, Davidson's Madison Benedict, Elon's Allison Johnson, Furman's Kelly Kirby, Georgia Southern's Kate Van Dyke, UNCG's Olivia Humphries, Samford's Lauren Hutchinson, Chattanooga's Courtney Barnes, Western Carolina's Paloma Alvarez and Wofford's Catelyn Amende.
Nominated for Defensive Player of the Week were Appalachian State's Courtney Rhein, College of Charleston's Ginny Phillips, The Citadel's Tatum Jestila, Davidson's Jennifer Chamblee, Elon's Sarah Schermerhorn, Furman's Kelly Kirby, Georgia Southern's Parker Small, Samford's Alexis Bauer, Chattanooga's Paula Passmore, Western Carolina's Morgan Cochran and Wofford's Reagan Styles.
Nominated for Freshmen of the Week were College of Charleston's Madelyn McGinnis, The Citadel's Erin Bucherl, Davidson's Caroline Brown, Furman's Sarah McCarthy, UNCG's Kellie Orewiler, Chattanooga's Jennifer Kuroski, Western Carolina's Morgan Cochran and Wofford's Amanda Liguori.
2010 Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week
Week 1 - Whitney Russell, College of Charleston
2010 Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Week 1 - Kayren Finney, UNCG
2010 Volleyball Freshmen of the Week
Week 1 - Katie Murphy, Samford