SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Oct. 23-29. The Citadel outside hitter Ali Ruffin was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Western Carolina middle blocker Eden Punch was designated Defensive Player of the Week, while Chattanooga’s Elaine Redman was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
Ruffin, who is receiving the honor for the fifth time this season, averaged 5.38 kills per set as The Citadel went 1-1 in a pair of road contests last week. The Bulldogs swept Mercer on Friday before dropping a five-set match against Western Carolina on Saturday. The junior had 19 kills, 11 digs, two blocks and two aces in the contest with Mercer. The next day, the Greenville, North Carolina, native logged 24 kills, 16 digs, two blocks and an assist versus Western Carolina. Ruffin is ranked in the top five in the NCAA in total kills (439), kills per set (4.82) and points per set (5.42).
Punch anchored the Catamount defense at the net as Western Carolina went 2-0 last week, defeating the top two teams in the SoCon standings. Western Carolina defeated Mercer in five sets on Thursday and the team’s win over The Citadel on Saturday handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season. The Burlington, Ontario, native had five total blocks, six kills and a dig in the match with Mercer. In the contest against The Citadel, the senior had five more blocks and six kills. Punch’s final block of the contest came alongside teammate Livi Weidmann against Ruffin to put the Catamounts up 10-8 in the fifth set in the midst of a 7-2 run, helping Western Carolina secure the win.
Redman, who is receiving the honor for the fourth time this season, averaged 10.38 assists per set to pace the Chattanooga offense. The Mocs won in straight sets over UNCG on Thursday and fell to ETSU in five sets on Friday. The junior finished with 30 assists, five digs, two kills and one block versus UNCG. Against ETSU, the Chattanooga, Tennessee, native had 53 assists, 10 digs, two kills, two solo blocks and an ace. Redman is currently ranked second in the SoCon and 10th in the NCAA in total assists (965).
The Citadel (23-1, 11-1 SoCon) travels to Wofford (16-7, 7-5) on Nov. 2 and hosts UNCG (1-22, 0-12) on Nov. 4. Western Carolina (8-15, 5-7) welcomes Chattanooga (17-10, 5-7) on Nov. 3 and Samford (11-13, 6-6) on Nov. 4. Chattanooga plays at Furman (16-7, 7-5) on Nov. 4.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Amanda Lowe (ETSU), Mary Beth Headley (Furman), Kylee Quigley (Mercer), Hallie Cook (UNCG), Kaleigh Merritt (Samford), Chard’e Vanzandt (Chattanooga), Bailey Hartsough (Western Carolina) and Mary Emily Morgan (Wofford)
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jaelynn Elgert (The Citadel), Jasmal Cruz (ETSU), Kennedy Seekford (Furman), Gia Padilla (Mercer), America Anderson (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Paige Gallentine (Chattanooga) and Sarah Barham (Wofford)
Also nominated for setter of the week: Belle Hogan (The Citadel), Malgorzata Andersohn (ETSU), Emily Navarro (Furman), Kiera McCarles (Mercer), Izora Gragg (UNCG), Kayla Keshock (Samford), Sarah Janourova (Western Carolina) and Taylor Pecht (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
Oct. 9 Ali Ruffin, Jr., OH, The Citadel
Oct. 16 Skyler Bumpers, Jr., MB, Mercer
Oct. 23 Kylee Quigley, Gr., OH, Mercer
Oct. 30 Ali Ruffin, Jr., OH, The Citadel
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
Oct. 9 Sarah Barham, Sr., MB, Wofford
Oct. 16 Gina DeLancey, Gr., MB, The Citadel
Oct. 23 Paige Gallentine, Jr., DS/LIB, Chattanooga
Oct. 30 Eden Punch, Sr., MB, Western Carolina
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
Oct. 9 Belle Hogan, Sr., The Citadel
Oct. 16 Kiera McCarles, So., Mercer
Oct. 23 Emily Navarro, Fr., Furman
Oct. 30 Elaine Redman, Jr., Chattanooga