SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Sept. 18-24. The Citadel outside hitter Ali Ruffin was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Wofford defensive specialist/libero Abbey Richman 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 received the honor for the third time this month, averaged 5.71 kills per set as The Citadel went 2-0 last week. The Bulldogs defeated Chattanooga in four sets on Friday, before sweeping Samford on Saturday. The junior logged a double-double against Chattanooga, finishing with 21 kills, 15 digs, three blocks and two aces. One day later, the native of Greenville, North Carolina, had 19 kills, 11 digs and three blocks versus Samford. Ruffin leads the conference in kills per set (4.82), points (274.5) and total kills (246), with those numbers placing her in the top five in each category in the NCAA.
Richman, who received the honor for the second straight week, anchored the Wofford defense, averaging 7.17 digs per set. The Terriers grabbed two conference wins, both via sweep, on the road over the weekend, defeating Mercer on Friday and Chattanooga on Saturday. The native of Carmel, Indiana, finished with 20 digs, two assists and an ace versus Mercer. Against the Mocs, the senior logged 23 digs and a career-high four aces. With back-to-back 20-plus dig outings, Richman has stretched her double-digit dig streak to a whopping 34-straight contests dating back to last season. Richman’s performances helped Wofford open SoCon play with back-to-back sweeps for the first time in program history.
Hogan, who also received the honor on Sept. 11, averaged 13.29 assists per set to pace The Citadel offense. The Fort Wayne, Indiana, product had a season-high 56 assists, 22 digs, which ties a career high, one kill and one ace in the Bulldogs’ win at Chattanooga. The junior recorded 37 assists, 10 digs, five kills, four blocks and an ace in the contest with Samford. Hogan leads the SoCon in assists per set (10.69), placing her 16th in the NCAA in the category.
The Citadel (14-0, 2-0 SoCon) hosts Western Carolina (4-9, 1-1) on Sept. 27, and Mercer (5-8, 1-1) on Oct. 1. The Bulldogs’ 14 wins this season have already tied the program record for wins in a season as the team is one of four squads, alongside Arizona State, Nebraska and Wisconsin, that are still unbeaten this season. Wofford (11-2, 2-0) welcomes Furman (11-2, 2-0) on Sept. 28, and Samford (6-8, 1-1) on Sept. 29.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Lauren Haynes (Furman), Kylee Quigley (Mercer), Daija Jackson (UNCG), Gracie Lynn Butler (Samford), Ali Morris (Western Carolina) and Sarah Barham (Wofford)
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jaelynn Elgert (The Citadel), Kennedy Seekford (Furman), Mykole Morgan (Mercer), Mya Wood (UNCG) and Kate Morgan (Samford)
Also nominated for setter of the week: Ella Abraham (Furman), Kiera McCarles (Mercer), Mallory Meers (UNCG), Lexi Thatcher (Samford), 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
Sept. 18 Gracie Lynn Butler, Jr., OH, Samford
Sept. 25 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
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