SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford’s Taylor Baird, UNCG’s Katherine Santiago and Furman’s Meg DeMaar have been named SoCon Offensive, Defensive and Freshman Volleyball Player of the Week, respectively, for games of August 29-30. The selections are made by the conference office.
Offensive Player of the Week: Taylor Baird, Wofford, Senior, Right Side Hitter, Blythewood, S.C.
Senior Taylor Baird tallied 43 kills and recorded a .363 hitting percentage to earn All-Tournament Team honors at the NCCU Invitational last weekend. She recorded a .425 hitting percentage with a match-high 20 kills in the Terriers season opener against Valparaiso. Baird led all Southern Conference players with 4.30 kills per set for the opening weekend. It is the second career Offensive Player of the Week honor for the Blythewood, S.C. native.
Other Nominees: Mallory Moore (The Citadel), Ashton Gregory (Furman), Molly Locke (Mercer), Jessica Brezwyn (UNCG), Michaela Reesor (Samford), Briana Reid (Chattanooga), Jordan Timmermann (Western Carolina)
Defensive Player of the Week: Katherine Santiago, UNCG, Junior, Libero, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Junior Katherine Santiago compiled 55 digs for an average of 5.50 digs per set to aid UNCG to a 2-1 record and a second-place finish at the 49er Invitational. She totaled 20 digs in a three-set win against Sacramento State in the Spartans’ season opener. The native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, followed that performance with 18 digs against Charlotte and 17 against Morgan State to earn her first career Player of the Week honor.
Other Nominees: Amanda Rudnik (The Citadel), Meg DeMaar (Furman), Tori Penrod (Mercer), Chelsi Carter (Samford), Catherine Cason (Chattanooga), Elyssa Mulheron (Western Carolina), Jessica Graham (Wofford)
Freshman of the Week: Meg DeMaar, Furman, Libero, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
Freshman Meg DeMaar totaled 51 digs and a 4.25 digs per set average in three matches at the Duke Invitational. She turned a team-high 22 digs in her first collegiate match against High Point. The native of Glen Ellyn, Ill., followed that up 14 digs in a win over North Florida and 15 against No. 21 Duke. DeMaar led all SoCon freshmen in digs per set with a 4.25 mark for the opening weekend.
Other Nominees: Moriah Smith (The Citadel), Ashley Muench (UNCG), Lauren Greenspoon (Chattanooga), T.J. Russell (Samford), Jo-Leigh Vervelde (Western Carolina), Danni Densford (Wofford)