SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Erin Bognar has been named SoCon Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week while Western Carolina’s Elyssa Mulheron and Wofford’s Danni Densford earned Defensive and Freshman honors, respectively, for games of September 16-21. The selections are made by the conference office.
Offensive Player of the Week: Erin Bognar, Samford, Sophomore, Outside Hitter, St. Louis, Mo.
Erin Bognar totaled 44 kills, 4.4 kills per set, and hit .345 over three games at the Rebel Classic last week. The sophomore recorded 20 kills in the Bulldogs’ four-set win over Lamar and posted a .588 hitting percentage against Jackson State, recording 11 kills on 17 attempts. The native of St. Louis, Mo. was named to the Rebel Classic All-Tournament team after leading Samford in kills in all three matches. Bognar, who was named to the SoCon All-Freshman team last season, received the honor for first time in her career.
Other Nominees: Bailey Kernodle (The Citadel), Annie Bierman (Furman), Molly Locke (Mercer), Allie Davenport (Chattanooga), Caitlin Piechota (Western Carolina), Liz Buterbaugh (Wofford)
Defensive Player of the Week: Elyssa Mulheron, Western Carolina, Junior, Libero, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Elyssa Mulheron recorded 67 digs over four matches last week for an average of 5.15 digs per set to earn her second straight Defensive Player of the Week honor. The junior libero had a match-high 20 digs in a three-set match against Winthrop and a team-high 19 digs against ACC-foe Wake Forest. Mulheron, a native of Winston-Salem, N.C., has recorded double-digit digs in every match this season and currently leads the conference with 4.85 digs per set.
Other Nominees: Lauren Hurt (The Citadel), Meg DeMaar (Furman), Lauren Gainer (Chattanooga), Liz Buterbaugh (Wofford)
Freshman of the Week: Danni Densford, Wofford, Middle Hitter, Sellersburg, Ind.
Danni Densford recorded 36 kills, 2.25 kills per set, and hit .357 in five matches for Wofford last week. The rookie middle hitter recorded a career-high 11 kills while hitting .667 in the Terriers’ win over Tennessee Tech on Friday. She also hit .700 with seven kills against Gardner-Webb and hit .375 with eight kills against North Carolina A&T on Saturday. The native of Sellersburg, Ind. currently ranks second in the SoCon in hitting percentage with a .339 mark. Wofford earned its third straight Freshman of the Week honor, each one having gone to a different player.
Other Nominees: Moriah Smith (The Citadel), Kasey Hohlen (Furman), Lauren Greenspoon (Chattanooga), Jo-Leigh Vervelde (Western Carolina)