SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford outside hitter Erin Bognar has been named the Southern Conference offensive player of the week, while UNCG’s Ashley Muench is the defensive player of the week for matches played Oct. 17-23, the conference office announced Monday.

Bognar aided the Bulldogs in snapping a two-match losing streak last week, propelling Samford to three straight wins over Chattanooga, Western Carolina and Furman. The St. Louis, Mo., native averaged 5.10 kills per set and 0.80 blocks per set while achieving a hitting percentage of .331. Bognar also recorded in 3.20 digs per set and one service ace from the outside hitter position in last week’s contests. At Chattanooga on Wednesday, Bognar totaled 15 kills, 2.0 blocks and eight digs, while hitting .289 to lead the Bulldogs in a sweep over the defending regular-season champions on their home court. Friday’s contest against Western Carolina saw much of the same as Bognar tallied 14 kills on 28 attempts to average a hitting percentage of .393 and added 3.0 blocks in a sweep over the Catamounts. The senior’s peak performance came against Furman on Saturday as she notched a double-double, recording 22 kills and 17 digs in the Bulldogs’ 3-1 win over the Paladins. Bognar currently leads the SoCon in kills per set (4.43).

Muench led the Spartans to back-to-back victories last week against UNC Charlotte and Wofford, to extend UNCG’s winning streak to four matches. The Hurdle Mills, N.C., native averaged 5.00 digs per set, 0.67 blocks per set and 3.67 kills per set from the outside hitter position in last week’s pair of sweeps over the 49ers and Terriers. Muench totaled 13 digs, holding the 49ers offense to a hitting percentage of .127. In Friday’s home contest against Wofford, she claimed a double-double with 17 digs, 15 and added 3.0 blocks to route the Terriers. In last week’s pair of wins, Muench recorded 23 serve receives without making an error. The junior outside hitter currently ranks third in the SoCon in kills per set (3.85).

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Moriah Smith (The Citadel), AJ Lux (ETSU), Alexis Mourier (UNCG), Kristy Wieser (Chattanooga) and Catie Cronister (Wofford).

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Samantha Epsy (The Citadel), Rylee Milhorn (ETSU), Grace Tiesman (Samford), Dani Szczepanski (Chattanooga) and Colleen Reilly (Wofford).

2016 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 29  Rylee Milhorn, Jr., OH, ETSU
Sept. 5  Moriah Smith, Jr., OH, The Citadel
Sept. 12  Jessica Brezwyn, Sr., OH, UNCG
Sept. 19  Erin Bognar, Sr., OH, Samford
Sept. 26  Annie Bierman, Sr., OH, Furman
Oct. 3  Kristy Wieser, Sr., MB/RS, Chattanooga
Oct. 10  Briana Allmon, Sr., OH, ETSU
Oct. 17  Briana Allmon, Sr., OH, ETSU
Oct. 24  Erin Bognar, Sr., OH, Samford

2016 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 29  Meg DeMaar, Jr., L/DS, Furma
Sept. 5  Kaela Massey, Fr., MB, ETSU
Sept. 12  Meagan Sanchez, Fr. L/DS, Western Carolina
Sept. 19  Tori Penrod, Sr., L/DS, Mercer
Sept. 26  Jordan McNeill, So., L/DS, Furman
Oct. 3  Christina Gregory, So., L/DS, UNCG
Oct. 10  Emily Plumlee, So., MB, Chattanooga
Oct. 17  Christina Gregory, So., L/DS, UNCG
Oct. 24  Ashley Muench, Jr., OH, UNCG

-www.SoConSports.com-