SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Sept. 25-Oct. 1. Chattanooga outside hitter Gylian Finch was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Wofford defensive specialist/libero Abbey Richman was designated Defensive Player of the Week, while the Mocs’ Elaine Redman was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
Finch averaged five kills per set and had two double-doubles as Chattanooga went 2-0 last week. The Mocs defeated ETSU in four sets on Friday, before defeating UNCG in five sets on Saturday. The graduate student had 17 kills, 12 digs and an ace at ETSU. One day later, the native of Mount Morris, Illinois, finished with a career-high 28 kills, 12 digs and an ace versus UNCG. Finch’s 24-dig weekend gave her 1,000 digs for her career.
Richman, who received the honor for the third straight week and fourth time this season, anchored the Terrier defense, averaging 5.67 digs per set. Wofford won two conference matches via sweep, topping Furman on Thursday, and Samford on Friday. Richman, a native of Carmel, Indiana, logged 23 digs and three assists against the Paladins. One day later, the senior had 11 digs and two assists against the Bulldogs. Richman has recorded double-digit digs in 36 straight matches dating back to last season. Wofford is currently on a nine-match win streak and is off to its best start in SoCon play in school history with four straight victories.
Redman averaged 10.89 assists per set to pace the Chattanooga offense. The Chattanooga, Tennessee, native had a double-double, finishing with 48 assists, 11 digs, three blocks and two kills against ETSU. Redman, a junior, had 50 assists, five digs, four blocks and an ace at UNCG. Redman leads the SoCon in total assists (661), placing her fourth in the NCAA in the category.
Chattanooga (13-5, 2-2 SoCon) travels to Alabama A&M on Oct. 3, before hosting Furman (12-3, 3-1) on Oct. 6 and Western Carolina (4-11, 1-3) on Oct. 7. Wofford (13-2, 4-0) plays at UNCG (1-14, 0-4) on Oct. 6 and at The Citadel (16-0, 4-0) on Oct. 7.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Ali Ruffin (The Citadel), Brianna Cantrell (ETSU), Lauren Haynes (Furman), Kylee Quigley (Mercer), Aylin Baran (UNCG), Gracie Lynn Butler (Samford) and Sarah Barham (Wofford)
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jaelynn Elgert (The Citadel), Kennedy Seekford (Furman), Skylar Bumpers (Mercer), Daija Jackson (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford) and Paige Gallentine (Chattanooga)
Also nominated for setter of the week: Belle Hogan (The Citadel), Ella Abraham (Furman), Kiera McCarles (Mercer), Izora Gragg (UNCG), Lexi Thatcher (Samford) and Emily Hodsdon (Wofford)
2023 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 28 Morgan Romano, Gr., OH, Chattanooga
Sept. 4 Ali Ruffin, Jr., OH, The Citadel
Sept. 11 Ali Ruffin, Jr., OH, The Citadel
Sept. 18 Gracie Lynn Butler, Jr., OH, Samford
Sept. 25 Ali Ruffin, Jr., OH, The Citadel
Oct. 2 Gylian Finch, Gr., OH, Chattanooga
2023 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 28 Jaelynn Elgert, Sr., LIB, The Citadel
Sept. 4 Abbey Richman, Sr., DS/LIB, Wofford
Sept. 11 Sarah Barham, Sr., MB, Wofford
Sept. 18 Abbey Richman, Sr., DS/LIB, Wofford
Sept. 25 Abbey Richman, Sr., DS/LIB, Wofford
Oct. 2 Abbey Richman, Sr., DS/LIB, Wofford
2023 SoCon Volleyball Setters of the Week
Aug. 28 Elaine Redman, Jr., Chattanooga
Sept. 4 Ella Abraham, Sr., Furman
Sept. 11 Belle Hogan, Sr., The Citadel
Sept. 18 Elaine Redman, Jr., Chattanooga
Sept. 25 Belle Hogan, Sr., The Citadel
Oct. 2 Elaine Redman, Jr., Chattanooga