SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga’s Dani Szczepanski and ETSU’s Marija Popovic have been named the Southern Conference offensive and defensive players of the week, respectively, for matches played Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, the conference office announced Monday.

Szczepanski, a middle blocker, hit .527 and led the Mocs to a 3-0 weekend in the Chattanooga Classic. The junior tallied 16 kills with just one error on 21 swings and hit an impressive .714 in the 3-1 win over UNC Asheville to kick-off the tournament. She also added five aces, three digs and two blocks against the Bulldogs. Against Tennessee State, the native of Cincinnati, Ohio had eight kills and three aces to pace the offensive attack. In the five-set win over North Alabama in the final match of the weekend, Szczepanski again hit above .700, this time hitting .731 with a career-high 20 kills. She also contributed seven digs and three block assists. For her performance, she was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Chattanooga Classic. Szczepanski currently ranks first in hitting percentage among conference members, hitting .519 through six matches.

Popovic, a libero, tallied 51 digs as ETSU went 3-0 and didn’t drop a single set in the Bruiser Showcase. The sophomore totaled 20-plus digs twice and led all players in digs in two of the three matches. Against Tulsa, the native of Belgrade, Serbia had 20 digs and four assists. Later that afternoon, Popovic followed up the morning’s performance with 21 digs and six assists. She added 10 digs in the sweep of Belmont to cap off the perfect weekend for the Bucs. Popovic is second in the conference with 5.11 digs per set.

The honor is Szczepanski’s first of her career, while Popovic picks up her third honor after being named the defensive player of the week twice in 2017.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Sharlissa De Jesus (The Citadel), Alyssa Kvarta (ETSU), Jordan McNeill (Furman), Paige Alsten (Mercer), Holly Behrends (UNCG), Lauren Deaton (Samford), MaKenzie White (Western Carolina) and Colleen Reilly (Wofford).

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Sarah Dobrich (The Citadel), Meg DeMaar (Furman), Emilee Wissmach (Mercer), Christina Gregory (UNCG), Lauren Deaton (Samford), Megan Kaufman (Chattanooga), Meagan Sanchez (Western Carolina) and Taylor Gill (Wofford).

2018 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week

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

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

2018 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week

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

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