SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman outside hitter Annie Bierman has been named the Southern Conference offensive player of the week, while teammate Jordan McNeill is the defensive player of the week for matches played Sept. 19-25, the conference office announced Monday.

Bierman, the reigning SoCon player of the year, nabs her first player of the week recognition after leading the Paladins to a 3-0 week against Charlotte, ETSU and UNCG. The senior averaged 4.00 kills per set and saw double-digit kills in all three matches, including back-to-back 20-kill matches against Charlotte and ETSU. On Tuesday, Bierman tallied 20 kills on 49 attempts and 11 digs in Furman’s 3-1 win over the 49ers. In the Paladins’ SoCon opener against ETSU, Bierman totaled 20 kills on 60 attempts, 12 digs and two blocks in the five-set win over ETSU. Saturday’s match against UNCG saw the Hamilton, Ohio, native record 12 kills, nine digs and two blocks as Furman beat the Spartans, 3-1.

McNeill, an outside hitter, made her first start at libero for injured Meg DeMaar in the Paladins’ matches against Charlotte, ETSU and UNCG. The sophomore averaged 4.23 digs per set last week, helping hold Furman opponents to a hitting percentage of .125. The Plainfield, Ill., native turned in double-digit digs in all three matches, including a career-high 27 in Furman’s five-set win over ETSU on Friday. McNeill also chipped in three service aces and 10 assists on the week.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Sarah Dobrich (The Citadel), AJ Lux (ETSU), Alexis Mourier (UNCG), Morgan MacGilvary (Mercer), Erin Bognar (Samford), Abigail Veit (Western Carolina) and Catie Cronister (Wofford)

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Samantha Epsy (The Citadel), Kaela Massey (ETSU), Tori Penrod (Mercer), Christina Gregory (UNCG), Grace Tiesman (Samford) 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

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

-www.SoConSports.com-