SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Oct. 2-8. The Citadel outside hitter Ali Ruffin was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Wofford middle blocker Sarah Barham was designated Defensive Player of the Week, while the Bulldogs’ Belle Hogan was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
Ruffin recorded two double-doubles, averaging 5.75 kills per set and 4.38 digs per set, as The Citadel went 2-0 last week. The Bulldogs won at UNCG in four sets on Thursday, before defeating Wofford, 3-1, on Saturday. The Greenville, North Carolina, product finished with 21 kills, 20 digs, two aces and a block in the contest against UNCG. Two days later, the junior had 25 kills, 15 digs, three assists, three aces and two blocks against Wofford. Ruffin, who was the SoCon Offensive Player of the Month in September, has received the weekly honor four times this season. She is ranked second in the NCAA in total kills (326), third in points (368.0) and fifth in kills per set (4.87).
Barham, who received the honor on Sept. 11, anchored the Terrier defense at the net, averaging two blocks per set last week. Wofford defeated UNCG, 3-1, on Friday before falling to The Citadel on Saturday. The senior finished with a season-high 11 blocks, two solo, and five kills in the match at UNCG. The Summerfield, North Carolina, native passed 400 blocks for her career in the contest with the Spartans, making her the third Terrier, the first at the Division I level, to surpass 400 blocks in their career. Barham had 12 kills and five blocks versus The Citadel.
Hogan averaged 12.38 assists per set to pace The Citadel offense. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, native finished with 45 assists, five blocks, three digs and two kills in the match with UNCG. The junior recorded a double-double against Wofford, logging 54 assists, 10 digs, three kills, two aces and two blocks. Hogan has received the weekly honor three times this season, with the other two coming on Sept. 11 and 25.
The Citadel (18-0, 6-0 SoCon), who remains as one of three teams undefeated in the country, travels to Furman (12-5, 3-3) on Oct. 13 and ETSU (1-16, 1-5) on Oct. 14. Wofford (14-3, 5-1) heads to Western Carolina (5-12, 2-4) on Oct. 12 and ETSU on Oct. 13.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Kylee Quigley (Mercer), Aylin Baran (UNCG), Kaleigh Meritt (Samford), Gylian Finch (Chattanooga), Ali Morris (Western Carolina) and Bri Mahoney (Wofford)
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jaelynn Elgert (The Citadel), Lillian Beardsley (Mercer), Daija Jackson (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Paige Gallentine (Chattanooga), Ali Morris (Western Carolina)
Also nominated for setter of the week: Kiera McCarles (Mercer), Mallory Meers (UNCG), Kayla Keshock (Samford), Elaine Redman (Chattanooga), 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
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
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