SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week Monday for games played Sept. 12-18. The Citadel outside hitter Ali Ruffin was named the Offensive Player of the Week. Chattanooga defensive specialist Paige Gallentine was named Defensive Player of the Week, while ETSU’s Caroline Dykes was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
Ruffin averaged 5.07 kills per set as The Citadel went 3-1 last week. The Bulldogs fell to Charleston Southern in five sets on Tuesday, Sept. 13, but The Citadel would bounce back with three straight victories in the Campbell Invitational over the weekend. The Bulldogs defeated North Carolina Central in three sets on Friday, Sept. 16, and would get wins over Robert Morris and Campbell on Saturday, Sept. 17. Ruffin, a native of Greenville, North Carolina, had 19 kills, 10 digs and four blocks versus Charleston Southern. Against N.C. Central, Ruffin had 17 kills, eight digs, three blocks and an ace. She would have 20 kills in both matches on Saturday and had 18 and 17 digs versus Robert Morris and Campbell, respectively. Ruffin was named the Campbell Invitational MVP for her play in the tournament.
Gallentine anchored the Chattanooga defense as the team hosted UNC Asheville and traveled to play in the GATA Challenge in Statesboro, Georgia. The native of Fenton, Michigan, finished with 19 digs, eight assists and two aces in the squad’s four-set win over UNC Asheville on Wednesday, Sept. 14. In two five-set matches on Friday, Sept. 16, Gallentine finished with 27 digs against Saint Francis (Pa.) and 33 digs, seven assists and two aces versus Queens. Against host Georgia Southern on Saturday, Sept. 17, the sophomore had 28 digs and four assists as the Mocs fell in four sets. Gallentine was named to the GATA Challenge all-tournament team following the event.
Dykes led the ETSU offense over the weekend in the Stacheville Challenge, hosted by Austin Peay. She had a total of 79 assists and 22 digs in three matches. Dykes tallied 25 assists, seven digs and two aces in a sweep of UT Martin. The native of Flower Mound, Texas, finished with 24 assists and five digs against Austin Peay. She concluded the weekend with her fourth double-double of the season versus North Dakota State as she had 30 assists, 10 digs and an ace. Dykes was named to the Stacheville Challenge all-tournament team for her play.
The Citadel (7-6, 0-0 SoCon) will host Furman on Wednesday, Sept. 21, in its conference opener. Chattanooga (5-9, 0-0 SoCon) plays Furman on Friday, Sept. 23, and Wofford on Sept. 24, in the team’s first two conference matches of the season. ETSU (6-6, 0-0 SoCon) will welcome Wofford on Friday, Sept. 23 and Furman on Saturday, Sept. 24, for its first two SoCon matches of the season.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Jenna Forster (ETSU), Ava Augustson (Furman), Annie Karle (Mercer), Taylor Robertson (UNCG), Kenya McQuirter (Samford), Natalie Tyson (Chattanooga), Merry Gebel (Western Carolina) and Bella Zeman (Wofford).
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Lundyn Coffman (ETSU), Andrea Aceveda (Furman), Kate Morgan (Samford), Destinee Dorsey (Western Carolina) and Abbey Richman (Wofford).
Also nominated for setter of the week: Sarah Turner (Furman), Kayla Keshock (Samford), Elaine Redman (Chattanooga), Sarah Janourova (Western Carolina) and Victoria Hensley (Wofford).
2022 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 29 Merry Gebel, 5th Yr., OH, Western Carolina
Sept. 5 Lauren Deaton, Gr., OH, Samford
Sept. 12 Annie Karle, Gr., OH, Mercer
Sept. 19 Ali Ruffin, So., OH, The Citadel
2022 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 29 Eden Punch, Jr., MB, Western Carolina
Sept. 5 Jaelynn Elgert, Jr., LIB, The Citadel
Sept. 12 Whitley Rammel, Fr., MB, ETSU
Sept. 19 Paige Gallentine, So., DS, Chattanooga
2022 SoCon Volleyball Setters of the Week
Aug. 29 Gabriela McHugh, Sr., UNCG
Sept. 5 Belle Hogan, So., The Citadel
Sept. 12 Sarah Turner, Sr., Furman
Sept. 19 Caroline Dykes, So., ETSU