SPARTANBURG, S.C.– The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week Monday for games played Aug. 29-Sept. 4. Samford outside hitter Lauren Deaton was named the Offensive Player of the Week. The Citadel libero Jaelynn Elgert was named Defensive Player of the Week, while her teammate Belle Hogan was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.

Deaton averaged 3.55 kills per set as Samford had a perfect 3-0 record last weekend in the UAB Open in Birmingham, Alabama. The Bulldogs won a four-set match against Little Rock, swept Jacksonville State and topped the host, UAB, in four sets. In the opening match of the tournament, Deaton had eight kills, six digs, four aces and a block versus Little Rock. The Memphis, Tennessee, native finished with 11 kills, two blocks and eight digs in the squad’s victory over Jacksonville State. Against UAB, Deaton hit .348 as she finished with 20 kills, three aces and 13 digs.

Elgert anchored The Citadel defense as the team competed in the Clemson Invitational, finishing with a 2-1 record in the event. The native of Peoria, Arizona, tallied 63 digs, 10 assists and six aces in the squad’s matches. Elgert finished with 23 digs and three assists as The Citadel fell to Jacksonville State in five sets Friday. Later that day, she logged 14 digs, two assists and two aces in a four-set victory over Gardner-Webb. On Saturday, Elgert had a career-high 26 digs as the Bulldogs defeated ACC foe Clemson in five sets. She had five assists and four aces against the Tigers, as well.

Hogan led The Citadel offense in the Clemson Invitational as she notched three individual career highs over the weekend. The sophomore tallied 43 assists, 10 digs, five blocks and a career-high five aces versus Jacksonville State. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native finished with 37 assists, eight digs and six kills in the match with Gardner-Webb. Hogan, who was named to the Clemson Invitational All-Tournament team, had 47 assists with career highs in kills (7) and digs (11) in the squad’s win over Clemson.
 
Samford (3-3, 0-0 SoCon) travels to Kennesaw State on Tuesday before going to Jacksonville, Alabama, to compete in the Gamecock Classic on Friday and Saturday against South Dakota State, Nicholls State and Jacksonville State. The Citadel (2-4, 0-0 SoCon) will be in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Friday and Saturday for the Rocky Top Classic to play Norfolk State, New Hampshire and Tennessee.

 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Ali Ruffin (The Citadel), Caroline Dykes (ETSU), Annie Karle (Mercer), Taylor Robertson (UNCG), Natalie Tyson (Chattanooga), Merry Gebel (Western Carolina) and Millie Loehr (Wofford). 

 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Lexi Uhrhan (Mercer), Ella Voegele (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Paige Gallentine (Chattanooga), Eden Punch (Western Carolina) and Sarah Barham (Wofford). 
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Caroline Dykes (ETSU), Kiera McCarles (Mercer), Gabriela McHugh (UNCG), Kayla Keshock (Samford), Sophia Bossong (Chattanooga), Sydney Carlson (Western Carolina) and Emily Hodsdon (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 
 
2022 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week 
Aug. 29 Eden Punch, Jr., MB, Western Carolina

Sept. 5 Jaelynn Elgert, Jr., LIB, The Citadel
 
2022 SoCon Volleyball Setters of the Week 
Aug. 29 Gabriela McHugh, Sr., UNCG

Sept. 5 Belle Hogan, So., The Citadel