SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Citadel volleyball libero Samantha Espy has been named the General Shale Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week for competition held Oct. 12-18, the league office announced Wednesday.
Espy aided the Bulldogs in snapping a six-match losing skid this past week with wins over South Carolina State and Furman on Thursday and Sunday, respectively. The senior averaged 4.69 digs per set in three matches played, while helping hold her team’s opponents to a hitting percentage of.195. Her peak performance came against Furman on Sunday as the Huntsville, Ala., native nearly notched a double-double, recording a match-high 28 digs, along with eight assists and one service ace. The Bulldogs’ five-set victory over Furman was the first win in program history over the Paladins after 35 previous matchups. The historic win for the Bulldogs was also The Citadel’s first conference win since 2011. Espy continued to pace the Bulldogs’ defense in Tuesday’s contest against Mercer, as she, once again, recorded a match-high 21 digs. The Citadel team captain currently ranks fifth in the SoCon in digs per set (4.20).
In the classroom, Espy boasts a 3.387 grade point average as a biochemistry major.
The General Shale Southern Conference Student-Athlete of the Week recognizes student-athletes that hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 and whose sport is currently in-season. Nominees must have also completed at least one full academic year their respective institutions.
Also nominated for SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week: Reese Hannon (Furman football), John Russ (Mercer football), Katie Emig (Chattanooga women’s soccer) and Ian Berryman (Western Carolina football).
General Shale SoCon Student-Athletes of the Week
Sept. 7: Frank Lara, Furman, Men’s Cross Country
Sept. 14: Jay Broom, VMI, Men’s Cross Country
Sept. 21: Tori Penrod, Mercer, Volleyball
Sept. 28: Derrick Craine, Chattanooga, Football
Oct. 5: Anna Maddox, Samford, Women’s Soccer
Oct. 12: Maddie Clark, Mercer, Women’s Soccer
Oct. 19: Samantha Espy, The Citadel, Volleyball
-www.SoConSports.com-