SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG outside hitter Jessica Brezwyn has been named the Southern Conference offensive player of the week, while Western Carolina’s Meagan Sanchez is the defensive player of the week for matches played Sept. 5-11, the conference office announced Monday.
Brezwyn led a UNCG offense to three consecutive wins over Radford, North Carolina A&T and Hampton at the Spartan-Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, N.C., this past weekend. The Darien, Ill., native totaled 35 kills (3.50 per set) on 79 attempts in 10 sets played. Against Radford on Friday, Brezwyn recorded 18 kills, her second-best single-match total in her career, to lead the Spartans to a 3-1 victory over the Highlanders. She was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Spartan-Aggie Invitational.
Sanchez led the Catamounts with 75 digs (5.00 per set) last week against Appalachian State, Coppin State, William & Mary and Charlotte. Tuesday’s home contest against Appalachian State saw Sanchez tally 19 digs and two service aces as the Catamounts pulled out a five-set win over the Mountaineers. Her peak performance came on Friday against Coppin State at the Colonial Classic in Williamsburg, Va., as she racked up 28 digs in just three sets to lead the Catamounts in a 3-0 sweep over the Eagles. Sanchez finished with 11 digs in a three-set loss to William & Mary and 17 digs in a four-set loss to Charlotte. Her play at the Colonial Classic earned her an all-tournament nod.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Logan Smith (The Citadel), Brianna Allmon (ETSU), Emily Krogman (Mercer) and Kara Shackleton (Wofford).
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Gracie Barnes (The Citadel), Kaela Massey (ETSU), Tori Penrod (Mercer), Christina Gregory (UNCG) and Madeline Savage (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
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
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