SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga’s Ally Ford and Megan Kaufman have been named offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for matches played Aug. 25-Aug. 27, the conference office announced Monday.
Ford, an outside hitter, registered double-digit kills in all four matches at the Ole Miss Invitational as she helped the Mocs get off to a 2-2 start to the 2017 campaign. A Leesburg, Virginia, native, Ford led the tournament field in kills per set with 4.85 and ranked second overall with 63 kills. Ford started the season with 14 kills in a loss to North Dakota and then followed with 17 kills in a 3-1 win over Florida A&M. The following day, the redshirt sophomore posted back-to-back 16-kill games against Ole Miss and Louisiana Tech. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Ford was named to the Ole Miss Invitational All-Tournament team. Ford currently ranks first in kills among conference members.
Kaufman, a defensive specialist/libero, tallied 89 digs to start her collegiate career. The 89 digs are the most to start a career in Chattanooga program history, including current NCAA record-holder and former Moc Lara Newberry. The Liberty Township, Ohio, native led the Ole Miss Invitational with 6.85 digs per set and ranked second overall despite playing in four fewer sets than the leader. Kaufman started the tournament with 19 digs against North Dakota and then followed with a 31-dig performance against Florida A&M. The freshman finished the tournament with 25 digs against Ole Miss and 14 against Louisiana Tech.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Sharlissa De Jesus (The Citadel), AJ Lux (ETSU), Jamila Johnson (Furman), Emily Krogman (Mercer), Allison Penner (UNCG), Krista Boesing (Samford), Abigail Veit (Western Carolina) and Catie Cronister (Wofford)
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Moriah Smith (The Citadel), Alyssa Kvarta (ETSU), Meg DeMaar (Furman), Emilee Wissmach (Mercer), Christina Gregory (UNCG), Sierra Rayzor (Samford), Megan Sanchez (Western Carolina) and Kara Shacklette (Wofford)
2017 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 28 Ally Ford, R-So., OH, Chattanooga
2017 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 28 Megan Kaufman, Fr., DS/L, Chattanooga