SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford outside hitter Erin Bognar has been named the Southern Conference offensive player of the week, while UNCG libero Christina Gregory is the defensive player of the week for matches played Oct. 24-30, the conference office announced Monday.
Bognar led the Bulldogs to two straight road wins over The Citadel and Mercer on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The senior outside hitter averaged 5.00 kills per set, totaling match highs of 15 kills in both sweeps this past weekend. Bognar’s performances aided Samford to tally their fifth consecutive win as the Bulldogs are currently one match behind league-leading ETSU in the SoCon standings. The St. Louis, Mo., native currently leads the league in kills per set (4.51) against SoCon opponents.
Gregory led the Spartans’ defense to its sixth consecutive victory, which is currently the longest active winning streak in the league, with wins over Western Carolina and ETSU. The sophomore libero averaged 5.57 digs per set and also added three service aces in UNCG’s pair of matches last week. At Western Carolina on Friday, she claimed a 20-dig performance in just three sets to lead the Spartans to victory in their first contest against Western Carolina this season. On Saturday, Gregory continued to pace the UNCG defense, totaling 19 digs against the ETSU offense in the Spartans’ 3-1 win over the Bucs. Gregory is currently the only player in the league to average over 5.00 digs per set, and she leads the SoCon with 5.15 digs per set against conference opponents. The Louisville, Ky., native currently ranks 13th in the nation in digs per set (5.21).
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Moriah Smith (The Citadel), Briana Allmon (ETSU), Emily Krogman (Mercer), Ashley Muench (UNCG), Dani Szcezepanski (Chattanooga), Abigail Veit (Western Carolina) and Catie Cronister (Wofford).
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Gracie Barnes (The Citadel), Kaela Massey (ETSU), Paige Alsten (Mercer), Grace Tiesman (Samford), Rachel Petkosh (Chattanooga), Aleah Keaton (Western Carolina) 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
Oct. 31 Erin Bognar, Sr., OH, Samford
2016 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 29 Meg DeMaar, Jr., L/DS, Furman
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
Oct. 31 Christina Gregory, So., L/DS, UNCG
-www.SoConSports.com-