SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Sept. 4-10. 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, who won the honor for the second straight week, averaged 5.22 kills per set as The Citadel went 3-0 last week in the Queens Fall Classic. The Bulldogs defeated Queens and UNC Asheville on Friday before dismantling South Carolina State on Saturday, with all three victories coming via sweep. Against Queens, Ruffin, who was named the tournament MVP, had a double-double with 18 kills and 11 digs. Later that day, the Greenville, North Carolina, native finished with 15 kills, five digs, five assists and a block. The junior completed her weekend with 14 kills and eight digs versus South Carolina State. Ruffin is currently fourth in the NCAA in total kills (163) and kills per set (5.09).
 
Barham anchored the Wofford defense at the net, collecting 26 total blocks, as the Terriers went 3-1 last week. The senior had 12 kills, six total blocks, three solo, and two digs on Tuesday as Wofford dropped a five-set match to High Point. In the Terrier Invite over the weekend, Barham collected 13 kills and four blocks in a sweep versus Presbyterian on Friday. Later that day, the Summerfield, North Carolina, native had 11 kills, seven blocks, four of which were solo, and two digs as the Terriers defeated Saint Francis in four sets. On Saturday, Barham finished with eight kills and nine total blocks, five solo, in a five-set win against Belmont. Barham earned MVP honors for her play in the Terrier Invite.
 
Hogan paced The Citadel’s offensive effort by averaging 12.11 assists per set for the Bulldogs last week. In the game with Queens, the Fort Wayne, Indiana, native had 38 assists, three kills, three aces and a block. The senior finished the match with UNC Asheville with 35 assists, five kills, six digs and two blocks. Hogan finished her weekend with 36 assists, two kills, two digs and five blocks versus South Carolina State.
 
The Citadel (9-0) plays in the Buccaneer Invitational on Sept. 15-16, facing host Charleston Southern, Florida A&M and South Carolina State. Wofford (7-2) faces George Washington in the Jefferson Cup Invitational on Sept. 15.
 
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Brianna Cantrell (ETSU), Ava Augustson (Furman), Kylee Quigley (Mercer), Madeline Timmerman (UNCG), Gracie Lynn Butler (Samford), Gylian Finch (Chattanooga), Bailey Hartsough (Western Carolina) and Sarah Barham (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jaelynn Elgert (The Citadel), Kennedy Seekford (Furman), Skyler Bumpers (Mercer), Mallory Meers (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Paige Gallentine (Chattanooga) and Eden Punch (Western Carolina)
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Ella Abraham (Furman), Jessica Dunn (Mercer), Mallory Meers (UNCG), Annabelle Straty (Samford), Elaine Redman (Chattanooga), Sarah Janourova (Western Carolina) 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 
 
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
 
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