SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Aug. 28-Sept. 3. 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 Furman’s Ella Abraham was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
Ruffin averaged 4.94 kills and 3.06 digs per set, while hitting .319 as The Citadel went 4-0 last week. The Bulldogs handled crosstown foe College of Charleston in four sets on Tuesday before winning the Jacksonville Invitational with five-set victories over Florida A&M and Jacksonville on Friday and a sweep of Northern Arizona on Saturday. Against College of Charleston, Ruffin finished with 20 kills, 18 digs and an ace. In the matchup with FAMU, the native of Greenville, North Carolina, had a career-high 28 kills along with eight digs, three assists, two service aces and a block. The junior had 22 kills, 12 digs, one block and one assist in the victory over Jacksonville, and in the tournament finale, she finished with 14 kills, 14 digs, four aces and two assists against Northern Arizona. Following the invitational, Ruffin was named tournament MVP. The Citadel is off to its best start in program history as the Bulldogs are 6-0 after two weeks of play.
Richman anchored the Wofford defense as the Terriers went 3-0 during the Wofford Invitational, winning each match via sweep. The Carmel, Indiana, product began her weekend with 13 digs and two assists in a sweep of South Carolina State on Friday. Later that day, Richman had 21 digs and two assists against Georgia State. On Saturday, the senior had 14 digs and four assists versus Elon to end the weekend. Richman, who has had double-digit digs in 26 straight matches dating back to last season, averaged 5.33 digs per set over the weekend en route to being named to the Wofford Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Abraham paced Furman’s offensive effort as the Paladins grabbed two wins, both via sweep, over UNC Asheville last week. The senior logged 31 assists, a career-high three blocks, two digs and an ace on Wednesday in a home match with the Bulldogs. Two days later, the native of Matthews, North Carolina, had 30 assists, seven digs, two blocks and a kill at UNC Asheville. Abraham has been instrumental in Furman’s 4-1 start to the season, which is the team’s best start since 2012.
The Citadel (6-0) travels to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the Queens Fall Classic on Sept. 8-9, facing host Queens, UNC Asheville and South Carolina State. Wofford (4-1) hosts High Point on Sept. 5 before welcoming Presbyterian, Saint Francis and Belmont on Sept. 8-9, as part of the Terrier Invite. Furman (4-1) hosts USC Upstate on Sept. 5 before heading to the Queens Fall Classic to take one Marshall, South Carolina State and Queens on Sept. 8-9.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Mary Beth Headley (Furman), Kylee Quigley (Mercer), Madeline Timmerman (UNCG), Gracie Lynn Butler (Samford), Morgan Romano (Chattanooga), Livi Weidmann (Western Carolina) and Millie Loehr (Wofford)
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jaelynn Elgert (The Citadel), Abbey Havrilla (Mercer), Mya Wood (UNCG), Kate Morgan (Samford), Paige Gallentine (Chattanooga) and Eden Punch (Western Carolina)
Also nominated for setter of the week: Belle Hogan (The Citadel), Malgorzata Andersohn (ETSU), Kiera McCarles (Mercer), Mallory Meers (UNCG), Lexi Thatcher (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
2023 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 28 Jaelynn Elgert, Sr., LIB, The Citadel
Sept. 4 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