SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford’s Taylor Baird has been named Southern Conference Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week while UNCG’s Katherine Santiago and Ashley Muench earned Defensive and Freshman honors, respectively, for games of October 21-25. The selections are made by the conference office.
Offensive Player of the Week: Taylor Baird, Wofford, Senior, Right-Side Hitter, Blythewood, S.C.
Taylor Baird totaled 41 kills and compiled a .309 hitting percentage over two matches for Wofford last week. The senior averaged 4.10 kills per set as she recorded 21 kills in a five-set match against Mercer on Wednesday and 20 kills in a five-set win over Western Carolina on Saturday. Baird has reached double-figure kills 16 times this season while also surpassing 20 kills in five matches this season. The native of Blythewood, S.C., ranks second in the SoCon in kills per set this season with 3.54. It is the third weekly honor for Baird this season.
Other Nominees: Megan Sowell (The Citadel), Ashton Gregory (Furman), Molly Locke (Mercer), Julia Westerbur (UNCG), Kristy Wieser (Chattanooga), Addy George (Western Carolina)
Defensive Player of the Week: Katherine Santiago, UNCG, Junior, Libero, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Katherine Santiago tallied 50 digs for an average of 4.55 digs per set over three matches for the Spartans last week. The libero racked up a season-high-tying 30 digs against Western Carolina on Tuesday. She then followed with 11 digs at Chattanooga on Friday and nine digs in the Spartans’ sweep of Samford on Saturday. The junior from San Juan, Puerto Rico, ranks second in the league in digs per set at a mark of 4.68. Santiago takes the weekly honor for the third time this season.
Other Nominees: Samantha Espy (The Citadel), Annie Bierman (Furman), Cara Tripp (Mercer), Lauren Gainer (Chattanooga), Elyssa Mulheron (Western Carolina)
Freshman of the Week: Ashley Muench, UNCG, Outside Hitter, Hurdle Mills, N.C.
Ashley Muench put down 40 kills and 44 digs for an average of 3.64 kills per set and 4.00 digs per set over three matches for the Spartans last week. The rookie outside hitter totaled career highs of 19 kills and 27 digs against Western Carolina on Tuesday, her fourth double-double of the season. Muench then hit .368 in a sweep of Chattanooga with eight kills on 19 attempts and just one error. She finished the week with a match-high 13 kills and a .308 hitting percentage in an upset victory over Samford. The native of Hurdle Mills, N.C. takes the weekly honor for the third time this season.
Other Nominees: Moriah Smith (The Citadel), Kasey Hohlen (Furman), Emily Krogman (Mercer), Jo-Leigh Vervelde (Western Carolina), Bella Santoro (Wofford)