SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Annie Bierman nabbed Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Samford’s Morgan St. Germain was named Defensive Player of the Week following a busy opening weekend of SoCon volleyball. The awards were based on matches played Aug. 28-29, and selections were made by the conference office.

Offensive Player of the Week: Annie Bierman ▪ Furman ▪ Junior ▪ Outside Hitter ▪ Hamilton, Ohio

Bierman, a junior outside hitter from Hamilton, Ohio, racked up 59 kills in three matches for the Paladins to achieve a per-set average of 4.92 kills. On Saturday, she had a career-high 28 kills in Furman’s four-set triumph over Western Michigan. The Furman junior was named to the Pepsi Panther Invitational All-Tournament Team for her efforts. This is the second time Bierman has been named Offensive Player of the Week. She previously earned the award on Oct. 13, 2014.

Other nominees: Moriah Smith (The Citadel), Briana Allmon (ETSU), Morgan MacGilvary (Mercer), Julia Westerbur (UNCG), Kristy Wieser (Chattanooga), Jo-Leigh Vervelde (Western Carolina)and Alex Holland (Wofford).

Defensive Player of the Week: Morgan St. Germain ▪ Samford ▪ Sophomore ▪ Libero ▪ League City, Texas

St. Germain, a sophomore libero, tallied 52 digs across three matches at the War Eagle Invitational for an average of 4.73 digs per set. The Middle Tennessee transfer notched 17 digs in a blanking of Stephen F. Austin in addition to 15 digs versus Jacksonville and 20 digs against SEC foe Auburn in Saturday’s nightcap.

Other nominees: Samantha Espy (The Citadel), Khadijah Wiley (ETSU), Meg DeMaar (Furman), Tori Penrod (Mercer), Katherine Santiago (UNCG), Kristy Wieser (Chattanooga), Katie O’Connor (Western Carolina) and Colleen Reilly (Wofford).

-www.SoConSports.com-