SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Krista Boesing and ETSU’s Marija Popovic have been named the Southern Conference offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for matches played Sept. 24-30, the conference office announced Monday.

Boesing, an outside hitter, averaged 4.7 kills per set as she helped the Bulldogs to a 1-1 mark in two conference matches on the week. In a five-set win at ETSU, the senior led Samford and tied for the match high with 22 kills. She was one dig shy of a double-double and added three block assists as the Bulldogs fought back from a 2-0 deficit to earn the road win. A day later at UNCG, the native of New Albany, Indiana, hit .383 and led all players with 25 kills. She had just two errors on 60 swings. Boesing also tallied three digs and one block assist in the close five-set contest. She is first amongst conference players in total kills (280) and third in kills per set (3.78), and in conference matches, she leads with 83 total kills and is second with 4.61 kills per set.

Popovic, a libero, averaged 6.38 digs and 1.12 assists per set and as the Bucs split two matches on the week. In a five-set loss to Samford, the sophomore totaled a match-high 33 digs, a season high, and contributed five assists. In a sweep of Chattanooga the next day, the Belgrade, Serbia, native again led all players with 18 digs. She also tallied four assists and two service aces to contribute on the offensive end. Popovic is second amongst conference players in total digs (326) and digs per set (5.26), though she leads the league in conference matches with 6.09 digs per set.

The conference honor is the second of the season for both Boesing and Popovic.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Mellanie King (The Citadel), Mariah McPartland (ETSU), Courtney Hoffman (Furman), Paige Alsten (Mercer), Maria Esch (UNCG), Merry Gebel (Western Carolina) and Lorissa King (Wofford).

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Maya Elassal (The Citadel), Meg DeMaar (Furman), Maddie Nunley (Mercer), Lauren Robeck (UNCG), Grace Tiesman (Samford), Meagan Sanchez (Western Carolina) and Catie Cronister (Wofford).  

2018 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week

Aug. 27 Leah Clayton, Jr., OH, ETSU

Sept. 3 Dani Szczepanski, Jr., MB, UTC

Sept. 10 Alyssa Kvarta, Sr., S, ETSU

Sept. 17 Leah Clayton, Jr., OH, ETSU

Sept. 24 Krista Boesing, Sr., OH, Samford

Oct. 1 Krista Boesing, Sr., OH, Samford

2018 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week

Aug. 27 Taylor Gill, Sr., LIB, Wofford

Sept. 3 Marija Popovic, So., LIB, ETSU

Sept. 10 Grace Tiesman, Jr., LIB, Samford

Sept. 17 Braedyn Tutton, Sr., MB, ETSU

Sept. 24 Sarah Dobrich, Jr., MH, The Citadel

Oct. 1 Marija Popovic, So., LIB, ETSU

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