SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Jamila Johnson earned Southern Conference Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week distinction, and Chattanooga’s Catherine Chason took home defensive player of the week honors for competition that took place Oct. 26-Nov. 1, the league office announced Monday.

Offensive Player of the Week: Jamila Johnson ▪ Furman ▪ Freshman ▪ Outside Hitter ▪ Greenville, S.C.

Johnson, from Greenville, S.C., put down double-digit kills for the Paladins in wins over ETSU and Western Carolina this past week. Her 12 kills in a sweep of the Bucs set a career high, which she shattered one match later with 17 kills and a .571 hitting percentage in a 3-1 defeat of the Catamounts on Saturday. Johnson’s two performances gave her a 4.14 kills-per-set average and a .453 hitting percentage for the week. The freshman outside hitter has provided a spark for the Paladins since being inserted into the starting lineup on Oct. 17 at Mercer, totaling 55 kills at a .436 clip during that span. This is her first career weekly honor.

Other nominees: Rylee Milhorn (ETSU), Ashley Muench (UNCG), Taylor Anderton (Samford), Sarah Batterton (Chattanooga) and Jo-Leigh Vervelde (Western Carolina).

Defensive Player of the Week: Catherine Chason ▪ Chattanooga ▪ Senior ▪ Libero/Defensive Specialist ▪ Alpharetta, Ga.

Chason has continued to serve as an integral piece for a Mocs team that earned its 20th win in a 3-1 triumph over Wofford on Saturday. The senior from Alpharetta, Ga., registered 17 digs in a 3-1 road win over Mercer on Thursday before tallying 26 digs against the Terriers. Chason’s 43 digs across the two matches were good for a 5.38 digs-per-set average for the week. She has recorded double-digit digs in every match except one this season and has posted 15 digs or more in 16 matches. Chason ranks third in the SoCon with a 4.71 digs-per-set average. This is her second career weekly honor.

Other nominees: Hailey Aguilar (ETSU), Meg DeMaar (Furman) and Katherine Santiago (UNCG).

-www.SoConSports.com-